Audi, despite not being a major team, has aspirations to become one. Currently, they are waiting for the right moment for the struggling Sauber team, also known as Stake F1 Team, to transform into the renowned German manufacturer. The first driver to be signed for VW Group’s entry into F1 is Hulkenberg.
For Audi, they have secured the services of an experienced F1 driver. Hulkenberg has participated in over 200 Grand Prix races, although he has not yet achieved a podium or victory. However, Hulkenberg has made significant strides with Haas, outperforming Kevin Magnussen in the sister car.
Throughout his F1 career, Hulkenberg has faced the pressure of securing his future year after year. Therefore, it is no surprise that he is thrilled to have a deal with Audi for the near future. This stability allows him to focus on the present and he is extremely grateful for the opportunity.
Hulkenberg’s journey in F1 began in 2010 as a rookie, followed by a forced break in 2012. He then joined Force India the following season and remained with them until the end of 2026, except for a brief period with Sauber in 2013. From 2017 to 2019, Hulkenberg raced for Renault.
In 2020 and 2021, Hulkenberg did not have a full-time team, but participated in some races with both Racing Point and Aston Martin. In 2023, he received an invitation from Haas to replace Mick Schumacher for that season. After his time with Haas, Hulkenberg will join Sauber for a season before embarking on his adventure with Audi in 2026.
Hulkenberg recognizes that this was not part of his original plan. He returned to F1 because he felt incomplete and missed the competition. During his time away from racing, he believed he could perform better than F1 drivers. His comeback was not meticulously planned, but he embraced the experience and believes he made the most of his career.
Regarding the timing of his hiring by Audi, Hulkenberg believes it is irrelevant. He is satisfied with his career and the opportunities that have come his way. He feels he has earned his place and believes there is still much more to come and be written in his story.
In 2015, with permission from Force India, Hulkenberg rose to fame by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans race driving the Porsche 919 Hybrid alongside co-drivers Earl Bamber and Nick Tandy. At that time, the team principal was Andreas Seidl.
Hulkenberg’s surprisingly early hiring has a common link in the form of the former McLaren man, who is now the Audi team principal. Although Carlos Sainz, ousted from Ferrari, was initially considered the top choice, he has not yet finalized a deal for 2025 and beyond, leaving room for Hulkenberg. Both Sainz and Hulkenberg were teammates at Renault in 2017, making them familiar to Seidl.
Hulkenberg acknowledged Seidl’s influence, stating: “Andreas is Audi. He runs that team. Of course, Andreas is the link. It’s easier when you have someone somewhere you’ve worked with and know from the past. Of course, that helps. But it’s not because of him that I’m going to Audi. Is it because the package includes Andreas Seidl? Yes.”
Observing the last days of Sauber, Hulkenberg may find himself frowning, as Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou often prove to be the slowest in most sessions and struggle to keep up with the race pace.
When asked about his readiness for the transition from Haas to Audi, Hulkenberg expressed: “I hope so. I hope it has changed a bit. I know what Audi is doing, they are investing in facilities, infrastructure, resources, growing the team and hiring staff. I was there ten years ago, in 2013. I hope there are some changes ten years later or more.”
Although Audi is a prominent manufacturer, this does not guarantee success in F1, as many automotive giants have learned over the years. At 36 years old and with no podiums to his name, Hulkenberg’s patience may be tested.
“No driver is patient!” he declared. “We always want everything yesterday. For me, you know, it all revolves around the 2026 rule changes. It’s a very good opportunity. It’s kind of a reset button. It’s completely new on the car side, on the aerodynamic side, and on the powertrain side. That’s where it gets very interesting.”
“This provides a much more level playing field and, for a new manufacturer, it’s obviously very valuable and very timely. They have had a very long preparation time. Four years until 2026. Now it’s up to the people involved to be successful.”
Regarding his teammate, Hulkenberg expressed his belief that he can get along with anyone. He mentioned that he is easy-going and does not have a preference for a specific teammate. Hulkenberg also stated that he does not feel any pressure to know the identity of his teammate at the moment, as it is not his decision. He emphasized that he is very relaxed about the team’s choice of a teammate.
Haas made a surprising decision to part ways with their F1 team principal, Guenther Steiner. This decision coincided with the team’s upgraded car and overall performance under the leadership of their new boss, Ayao Komatsu. Despite the challenges faced, Haas has been competing for points, and Hulkenberg has stood out in qualifying sessions, often referred to as “magic tricks.”
Reflecting on his experience with the final Haas car, Hulkenberg shared that it was different from what he expected. He explained that, considering the performance from the previous year, they did not expect anything positive. Hulkenberg admitted they faced difficulties, especially on Sundays, which led them to lower their expectations and goals. However, as they started the season and began working with the car, they were pleasantly surprised by the team’s efforts, including the engineers, designers, and the rest of the crew. Hulkenberg acknowledged they had a better car package than they initially thought, which was a surprise to them. (Interview conducted by Agnes Carlier in Monaco)
© 2024
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