Nico Hulkenberg is ready to tackle one of the most formidable challenges of his Formula 1 career as he rejoins Sauber for the 2025 season, just as the team transitions into the Audi works project. However, the German veteran is under no illusions about the uphill battle that lies ahead, especially in a sport where the air of competitiveness is “very thin.”
A New Era for Sauber, but Hurdles Remain
Returning to the Swiss outfit where he last raced in 2013, Hulkenberg acknowledges that Sauber’s current state is far from ideal. The team finished last in the 2024 Constructors’ standings, with only four points to its name—far behind ninth-placed Williams. Despite this, he believes the team’s late-season upgrades, particularly their “Vegas update,” provide a glimmer of hope.
“Lately, you know, it’s looked a bit brighter,” Hulkenberg said, highlighting Zhou Guanyu’s eighth-place finish in Qatar and Valtteri Bottas’ Q3 appearance in Abu Dhabi as signs of progress. “The Vegas update for them did something and put them on the right track, in the right direction.”
Yet, with Alpine and Aston Martin expected to bounce back in 2025, Hulkenberg knows Sauber must bring their A-game to avoid being left behind in the midfield pack.
A New Teammate and a Future Star
Hulkenberg will also have a new teammate in Brazilian sensation Gabriel Bortoleto. At just 19 years old, Bortoleto comes to F1 after a meteoric rise through the junior categories, clinching back-to-back titles in Formula 3 and Formula 2 as a rookie. The young driver’s release from McLaren’s Young Driver Programme cleared the way for his Sauber debut.
“You always watch F2, you know, a little bit,” Hulkenberg admitted. “To win Formula 3 as a rookie and now Formula 2 as a rookie, it’s very impressive. I think it’s been a while since someone has done that, so I think, you know, a lot of talent there. Promising driver.”
Bortoleto’s youthful energy and recent success could serve as a much-needed boost for Sauber’s resurgence, providing a sharp contrast to Hulkenberg’s wealth of experience.
The Audi Project Looms Large
The backdrop to Hulkenberg’s return is Sauber’s transformation into an Audi works team, a process that comes with both opportunity and immense pressure. Audi’s entry into Formula 1 has been highly anticipated, but the German automaker will be under scrutiny to deliver results quickly in a fiercely competitive grid.
Hulkenberg’s experience in midfield and backmarker teams could prove invaluable as Sauber works to find its footing in this transition period. However, the question remains whether the team’s resources and development trajectory will be enough to close the gap to its rivals in time for Audi’s official debut in 2026.
The Road Ahead
While Hulkenberg remains cautiously optimistic about Sauber’s potential, he’s also realistic about the challenges. “It’s going to be tough,” he admitted, emphasizing the need for significant work to compete in a crowded midfield. But with promising signs from the end of 2024 and the arrival of a prodigious talent in Bortoleto, the team may have the building blocks for a brighter future.
As Sauber prepares to embark on its Audi-powered journey, Hulkenberg’s leadership and Bortoleto’s raw talent could form a compelling dynamic. The question is: will it be enough to propel the team out of the doldrums and back into contention? For now, the German driver seems ready to roll up his sleeves and find out.
