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In a move that precedes Audi’s official debut in Formula 1 in 2026, the German automaker is reportedly making plans to pair Carlos Sainz and Nico Hulkenberg as teammates at Sauber as early as next season. This strategic decision is in line with the sport’s new regulations and demonstrates Audi’s commitment to establishing its preferred driver lineup in advance. As a result, current Sauber drivers Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou, whose contracts expire at the end of this season, may find themselves without seats. Sainz, a Ferrari driver with a family connection to Audi through his father, who is a Dakar Rally champion with the brand, is considered one of the top candidates for the team. Despite his impressive track record, including recent wins at the Singapore and Australian Grand Prixs, Sainz’s future at Ferrari is uncertain due to the imminent arrival of Lewis Hamilton. While Sainz is highly sought after in the paddock, opportunities with top teams like Mercedes or Red Bull have not materialized for him. However, Sauber may not be able to fulfill Sainz’s desire to continue winning in 2025, as reported. Nevertheless, Audi is eager to secure a long-term contract with him. For Hulkenberg, transitioning from Haas to Audi appears to be a smooth process, according to the same reports. At 36 years old, Hulkenberg has proven his skills this season with Haas, achieving notable results and narrowly missing out on additional points. Joining Audi would be a significant step for him and potentially position him as a key player in the brand’s F1 ambitions. It is worth noting that this would not be Hulkenberg’s first time at Sauber, as he drove for them in 2013. Interestingly, Sainz and Hulkenberg have previous experience as teammates during their time at Renault in 2018, which could facilitate their collaboration under the Audi banner. This previous partnership could ease their transition to becoming the faces of Audi’s new chapter in Formula 1.