Nico Hulkenberg is returning to the Sauber Formula 1 team after 12 years. This time, things are different for him and for the team. The sport has also changed a lot since then.
Hulkenberg has been wanting this chance for a while. He felt he deserved it, and now he’s getting it.
He moved from Haas to Sauber for the 2025 season. He had been hoping for this move since September. Audi, which is coming into Formula 1 soon, wanted a German driver. Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari sparked early talks in the driver market for 2025.
Audi wanted to sort out its drivers early, so they made offers to drivers like Carlos Sainz and Hulkenberg. Hulkenberg signed early, matching Audi’s plans.
For Hulkenberg, this is a big opportunity. He felt he missed out on chances before. In 2013, he had some impressive races with Sauber, but he never got the move to Ferrari or another top team. He blamed his height for some teams not choosing him.
Now, with Audi, he’s getting another shot at the big time.
Hulkenberg had been racing in IndyCar and filling in for other drivers in Formula 1. But now, he’s back with a chance to prove himself.
He showed his potential with Haas in 2023 and continued to perform well in 2024. His good form has carried over into this year.
Audi knows what it’s getting with Hulkenberg. He’s experienced, even though he’s not a young driver anymore.
His move to Audi makes things tricky for other drivers. Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu might have to find seats elsewhere. Sauber might want an all-new lineup for 2026 when Audi joins Formula 1.
Hulkenberg’s return to Sauber shows that he’s still got what it takes to compete at the top level. It’s also a sign of the changing situation in Formula 1, with new teams like Audi entering the sport.
