Driver Nico Hülkenberg will compete for Stake F1 Group KICK Sauber for the next System One season and past, having signed a multi-year contract that extends no less than till 2026. In that yr, he’ll develop into the primary driver for Audi’s entry into the highest class of motorsport. With expertise from over 200 F1 races, Nico is a necessary constructing block for the persevering with profitable growth of the group. In parallel to his commitments for Stake F1 Group KICK Sauber within the 2025 season, he might be carefully concerned in growing Audi’s first F1 automobile for 2026.
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“We’re thrilled to welcome Nico Hülkenberg again to Hinwil from 2025 and to compete with him in System One. His pace, expertise, and dedication to teamwork might be instrumental in our group’s transformation and Audi’s F1 undertaking,” mentioned Andreas Seidl, CEO of Sauber Motorsport AG and the long run Audi F1 manufacturing unit group. The choice to work collectively has not been taken flippantly. There was a robust mutual curiosity in constructing one thing long-term from the outset. Nico’s return to Sauber, a group he has beforehand labored with and has a stable connection to, is a strategic transfer that underlines our dedication to success. His sturdy persona {and professional} and private enter will undoubtedly assist us progress in automobile growth and group constructing.
Nico Hülkenberg is among the most completed drivers in System One. He has repeatedly confirmed his capacity to ascertain himself shortly in a brand new atmosphere and sort out new challenges with dedication. This isn’t his first encounter with the group. “I’m returning to the group I labored with again in 2013 and have fond reminiscences of the sturdy group spirit in Switzerland,” mentioned the racing driver from Emmerich-am-Rhein. “The prospect of competing for Audi is one thing extraordinary. When a German producer enters System One with dedication, it’s a distinctive alternative. To characterize the manufacturing unit group of such a automobile model with an influence unit made in Germany is a good honour for me.”
Nico proved his expertise early on with 4 titles between 2005 and 2009 in probably the most important single-seater junior classes. In 2008, he attracted consideration throughout take a look at drives in System One earlier than making his debut in 2010, competing in additional than 200 races for seven completely different System One groups. He has achieved quite a few podium finishes and has constantly carried out all through his profession. In an uncommon transfer for his era of drivers, Nico competed within the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) throughout an ongoing System One season in 2015, profitable the 24 Hours of Le Mans on his debut. His group principal on the time was Andreas Seidl. All is about for a reunion.
Background data
With the choice to completely purchase the Sauber Group, AUDI AG in March has set a necessary course for his or her introduced entry into F1 in 2026 – thus accelerating Sauber’s transformation right into a manufacturing unit group. As CEO of the long run Audi System 1 manufacturing unit group, Andreas Seidl oversees operational implementation. Oliver Hoffmann is answerable for the System 1 programme in his new function as Chief Consultant of the Audi Board of Administration. On this operate, he’s the chair of the boards of administrators of all Sauber corporations and the shareholders’ assembly of Audi System Racing GmbH, which is answerable for growing the facility unit on the Neuburg facility.
