Nico Hulkenberg is set to bid farewell to Haas as the 2024 Formula 1 season draws to a close, with Sauber securing his services for the 2025 season and beyond.
Hulkenberg made his return to full-time F1 driving with Haas in 2023 after a three-year absence from the sport. However, it has now been confirmed that the 36-year-old German will leave the American team at the end of the current campaign to join Sauber.
Ayao Komatsu, the Haas Team Principal, expressed gratitude to Hulkenberg for his contributions, highlighting his invaluable experience and feedback that have significantly improved the team’s performance throughout the season. Komatsu emphasized that Hulkenberg’s inputs would continue to be valued for the remainder of the 2024 season.
Hulkenberg’s move marks a return to the Sauber team, which he previously represented in 2013. The Hinwil-based outfit, soon to be officially taken over by German manufacturer Audi, expressed their delight in welcoming Hulkenberg back. Andreas Seidl, CEO of Sauber Motorsport AG and future Audi F1 team, praised Hulkenberg’s speed, experience, and commitment to teamwork, stating that he would play a crucial role in the team’s transformation and Audi’s F1 project.
In response, Hulkenberg expressed his excitement about rejoining Sauber and the prospect of competing for Audi. He fondly recalled the strong team spirit at Sauber and regarded representing a German manufacturer in Formula 1 as a unique honor. Hulkenberg expressed his determination to contribute to the development of the car and the team’s growth, emphasizing the significance of representing a factory team with a German-made power unit.