Nico Hulkenberg has expressed that he wasn’t “surprised” that Carlos Sainz turned down the chance to partner him at Sauber/Audi in Formula 1 to sign with Williams.
Audi was swift to act in the driver market earlier this season to secure Hulkenberg’s signature on a multi-term deal as it prepares to embark on its debut in F1 in 2026.
The German marque was also known to be courting Sainz, who will relinquish his current seat with Ferrari at the end of the campaign as it welcomes Lewis Hamilton.
But although Audi was viewed as an obvious option due to his father’s ties to the automotive brand, Sainz elected to decline its advances to agree a move to Williams.
Sainz’s decision has prompted Sauber to retract to the drawing board as the Hinwil-based squad is still to announce who will be Hulkenberg’s team-mate next season.
Asked whether he was surprised Sainz opted not to reunite with him at Sauber in 2025, Hulkenberg told media including Motorsport Week: “Not surprised.
“I mean, obviously he was hesitating and thinking about it for a long time.
“I think there’s other strategic reasons where he wants to position himself in the future and I think that was a very big part of his decision.
“So, obviously I haven’t spent much time thinking about his decision. It is what it is now and the rest we’ll see.”
Sainz hailed for choosing Williams
Sauber COO Mattia Binotto has admitted that Audi’s endeavour to enter as a works team with its power unit will leave it with a gap to close to existing manufacturers.
With Sauber sitting last in the Constructors’ Championship, 1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve believes Sainz has taken a smart call to sign with Williams instead.
“Carlos is fast, he has a lot of experience and he knows how to work with a team,” Villeneuve, who won his title with Williams, told Marca. “He is intelligent.
“He will be a very good and much-needed signing for Williams. It was a very good move by James Vowles.
“It will also be good for Sainz. His other options were not worth it. Alpine is all over the place choosing and Audi would probably never have taken him to anything special.”
READ MORE: Carlos Sainz not expecting hard adaption to drop down F1 order at Williams
