Nico Hulkenberg has admitted that he pondered remaining with Haas in Formula 1 in 2025 prior to signing a deal with Sauber to become involved in the Audi venture.
Discounting sporadic appearances with Racing Point/Aston Martin, Hulkenberg had been on the F1 sidelines since 2019 when Haas provided him a chance to return.
The German has impressed upon his comeback last term and has capitalised on the American outfit’s improvement this season to bag points six points in six rounds.
However, Hulkenberg has signed a multi-year contract to return to Sauber, which will transition into a works Audi entrant when new regulations are introduced in 2026.
Hulkenberg has revealed that he had contemplated penning a new extension with his current squad, having held discussions with Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu.
“Let me say the comparison is not maybe the best one direct, but it’s one of the 10 teams on the grid,” Hulkenberg said. “For sure, I was thinking about that too.
“I was speaking to Ayao weeks and weeks ago, telling him, ‘Look, there’s quite a lot of movement on the driver market. But one scenario is I could imagine to stay.’
“So there was also talks here in parallel, for sure.
Representing Audi will not mark the first time Hulkenberg has competed with a works competitor, with the veteran racer having driven for Renault from 2017 to 2019.
Hulkenberg stated that appreciating minor achievements such as points scores with an independent squad like Haas can be as fulfilling as being with a manufacturer.
“It’s a different pair of shoes, but for me, having been here now a year and this one-quarter of a season, I feel very happy here,” he expressed.
“They were also the team that gave me the chance of a comeback, that obviously also carries some importance and appreciation from my side towards the team.
“Like in Force India days here as well, you’re the small team, the underdog team, but it’s quite cool to set those highlights, to have good results.
“It’s a different feeling compared to big works teams like Renault. Here, they celebrate those little moments much more and it’s a nice, cool environment.
“A happy, good environment. We’re also always pushing for more, but it’s a bit different.
“But that’s why it was parallel discussions, but then ultimately we decided to forget it, to turn left instead of right.”
