Nico Hulkenberg believes receiving a name from Audi CEO Gernot Doellner when making the change from Haas to Sauber for subsequent season “reveals respect” and underlines the German producer’s dedication to its Components 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 monitor proceed to take form.
Hulkenberg was contacted by Doellner himself, and requested how vital that was to him, he mentioned: “I do not learn about vital, however I believe it is definitely good.
“It reveals respect and reveals how critical he and the model are about it and that they don’t seem to be taking this frivolously, that they paying consideration. They do see what’s occurring, what is going on on and that was good. Excellent.”
For Hulkenberg, the decision to entrance a German producer’s bid in F1 marks a shocking 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 manner again onto the grid and, when Haas looked for a substitute for Mick Schumacher forward of the 2023 marketing campaign, he was known 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 totally different.
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas VF-24, leads Zhou Guanyu, Stake F1 Workforce Kick Sauber C44
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Pictures
“It’s a massive problem, no query about that,” he mentioned. “Going to what will likely be Audi, what will likely be a German producer, German driver, a whole lot of consideration, a whole lot of expectation – it is not going to be a straightforward one.
“However my strategy to my work and the definition is not altering. I will go there with all the pieces 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 are able to make it successful.”
The transfer sparks alternative for Hulkenberg that maybe is not out there at Haas, given the producer standing, however whereas the ceiling for fulfillment could also be larger, he warned the identical may be mentioned conversely.
“Effectively, for those who do not carry out the stress is on there extra, you are extra beneath the highlight,” Hulkenberg defined. “It should be much more PR work there, much more demanding on this facet. However, it is a massive alternative and the ceiling is larger.”
Hulkenberg will likely be 37 years previous by the point he hits the monitor 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 take a look at that and I do not take into consideration that. I take it step-by-step, season by season.
Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Workforce, within the cockpit
Picture by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Pictures
“For the time being, I believe 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 needed right here… that is clearly at all times 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 will in all probability even lower it off myself. However I am not there but – however I do not know when that will likely be.”
