Nico Hulkenberg has said that his return to Sauber is “going to be tough” amid the improvements of other Formula 1 teams around the Hinwil-based squad.
The German will begin his second stint with the Swiss outfit next year as it makes the transition into the Audi works project.
The 37-year-old, who previously drove for Sauber in 2013, has warned that the high level of competitiveness with other teams will make the task of improving on its difficult 2024 season a challenging one.
Sauber finished last in the 2024 Constructors’ standings with four points, 13 behind ninth-placed Williams.
“I would not worry, but, you know, it’s a competitive sport, and everyone is pushing a lot,” he told select media including Motorsport Week after the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“The air is very thin like we saw now. Alpine is back, probably Aston [Martin] will come back, so yeah, it’s going to be tough and I think there is work ahead, no doubt.”
Hulkenberg however added that the improvements Sauber has showed towards the end of the year does contribute towards some positivity.
“But lately, you know, it’s looked a bit brighter,” he said. “It looked like the Vegas update for them did something and put them on the right track, in the right direction.”
Following the introduction of its Vegas upgrade, Sauber had a positive end to the 2024 campaign, with Zhou Guanyu picking up the team’s only points finish of the year with eight in Qatar.
Valtteri Bottas, meanwhile, made a Q3 appearance in Abu Dhabi.
Hulkenberg impressed by incoming Sauber team-mate Bortoleto
Hulkenberg also commented on his new team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto, who is joining the team having been released from his contract within McLaren’s Young Driver programme.
The young Brazilian took glory in the FIA Formula 2 Championship this season, winning the Drivers’ title at the first time of asking, having won the Formula 3 Championship as a rookie in 2023.
Hulkenberg confirmed he had been watching Bortoleto’s progress this year but has yet to meet him.
“You always watch F2, you know, a little bit,” he said. “For sure, you follow that because that’s the future coming in, and yeah, congratulations to him.
“To win Formula 3 as a rookie and now Formula 2 as a rookie, it’s very impressive.
“I think it’s been a while since someone has done that, so I think, you know, a lot of talent there. Promising driver.”
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