Nico Hulkenberg believes receiving a name from Audi CEO Gernot Doellner about administration adjustments forward of his transfer subsequent season “exhibits respect” and underlines the German producer’s dedication to its Method 1 undertaking.
Audi will take over the Hinwil-based outfit when becoming a member of the grid in 2026, with Hulkenberg recruited as the primary confirmed driver for the group earlier this season as its preparations off observe proceed to take form.
In current weeks, the Audi F1 undertaking has seen each Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann axed, with former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto installed as chief operating and chief technical officer.
Subsequent yr, Crimson Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley will also join Audi’s F1 team as its new team principal.
Hulkenberg was contacted by Doellner himself, and requested how necessary that was to him to learn of the adjustments, he stated: “I do not learn about necessary, however I feel it is actually good.
“It exhibits respect and exhibits how severe he and the model are about it and that they are not taking this flippantly, that they paying consideration. They do see what’s occurring, what is going on on and that was good. Excellent.”
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas VF-24, leads Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Staff Kick Sauber C44
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
For Hulkenberg, the decision to entrance a German producer’s bid in F1 marks a surprising profession turnaround.
He was dropped by Renault on the finish of the 2020 season and would spend three years on the sidelines as reserve driver for Silverstone-based Racing Level, then Aston Martin.
However with the COVID-19 pandemic providing race alternatives in its place, Hulkenberg was in a position to impress on-track and earn his method again onto the grid and, when Haas looked for a alternative for Mick Schumacher forward of the 2023 marketing campaign, he was referred to as upon to fill the void.
It’s clear that Hulkenberg has confronted challenges all through his F1 profession and the Audi undertaking will likely be no completely different.
“It’s a massive problem, no query about that,” he stated. “Going to what will likely be Audi, what will likely be a German producer, German driver, loads of consideration, loads of expectation – it isn’t going to be a straightforward one.
“However my method to my work and the definition is not altering. I will go there with every thing I’ve after which attempt to contribute out and in of the automobile as a lot as I can.
“That is what I like doing and hopefully, collectively, we will make it a hit.”
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Staff, within the cockpit
Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images
The transfer sparks alternative for Hulkenberg that maybe is not obtainable at Haas, given the producer standing, however whereas the ceiling for achievement could also be larger, he warned the identical will be stated conversely.
“Properly, should you do not carry out the strain is on there extra, you are extra below the highlight,” Hulkenberg defined. “It’ll be much more PR work there, much more demanding on this aspect. However, it is a massive alternative and the ceiling is larger.”
Hulkenberg will likely be 37 years previous by the point he hits the observe in a Sauber subsequent season, but can take inspiration from Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton, who will each be of their 40s on the identical time.
On whether or not they gave him proof he may proceed on the highest degree, Hulkenberg replied: “It does not make me really feel something.
“I do not really feel previous or type of that I am near my due date, I do not have a look at that and I do not take into consideration that. I take it step-by-step, season by season.
“In the meanwhile, I feel I nonetheless have what it takes and so long as that is the case, that is good and I’ll keep it up and, so long as I am wished right here… that is clearly all the time the very first thing you want, you want somebody to have you ever within the automobile.
“The opposite factor is that if I really feel I can not sustain with the younger children, I am going to in all probability even reduce it off myself. However I am not there but – however I do not know when that will likely be.”
