What were rumours earlier this week are now official: Nico Hulkenberg will leave the Haas F1 team at the end of this year. The German signed with Audi and will race next year for the Stake F1 team, which will be known as the Audi F1 team from 2026.
Due to the switch of Nico Hulkenberg to the Stake F1 team, one of the two drivers, Valtteri Bottas or Guanyu Zhou, will have to make way for Hulkenberg. Hulkenberg himself is of course very happy that he has signed a new multi-year agreement with Audi.
“I am returning to the team I worked with in 2013. I have good memories of the strong team spirit in Switzerland,” Hulkenberg responded to the announcement of the news. The prospect of working with Audi is something very special.”
“When a German manufacturer enters Formula 1 with such dedication, it represents a unique opportunity. To represent a factory team of such a car brand with such united forces in Germany is a great honour for me.”