Nico Hulkenberg has expressed that he hasn’t been devoting much attention to his 2025 move to Sauber as he bids to end the Formula 1 season on a high with Haas.
Hulkenberg’s place on next season’s grid was secured not long into the current campaign as it was revealed in April that he would be leaving Haas to return to Sauber.
The German has penned a multi-term deal with the Hinwil-based squad as it prepares to morph into a works Audi setup once new technical regulations arrive in 2026.
Hulkenberg revealed that phone calls with Audi CEO Gernot Dollner have been held amid the upheaval which has seen a tweak to the group’s management structure.
Audi announced across the summer break that ex-Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto had replaced the ousted Andreas Seidl to manage the marque’s impending F1 entrance.
READ MORE: Audi appoints Mattia Binotto to head F1 venture as Andreas Seidl departs
However, Hulkenberg has denied that discussions with Sauber/Audi have been a distraction as he strives to help Haas clinch sixth in the Constructors’ Championship.
Asked how much focus he was attributing to his future team, Hulkenberg told media including Motorsport Week in Zandvoort: “Not much.
“I mean, there’s some phone calls. There’s not a lot of energy or attention.
“And there’s also always information from when you network with people and call them.
“It’s always interesting to know what’s up and where people are at. But otherwise, no, I’m fully invested in this season still.
“Ideally, secure that seventh place. Dreaming of maybe attacking sixth place, but it’s not going to be easy.
“It depends on how competitive we will be. And it’s been up and down, so very difficult to predict. But I honestly really look forward to the remainder of the season.”
Hulkenberg ‘not surprised’ Sainz turned down Audi
Sauber is still to decide which driver will partner with Hulkenberg as Audi’s allure was not enough to attract outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz to accept its proposal.
The Spaniard, whose father Carlos Sr has competed with Audi in other racing disciplines, chose to turn down the German outfit’s advances to pen a move to Williams.
Questioned on whether he was surprised that Sainz had declined Audi, Hulkenberg replied: “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.”
READ MORE: Nico Hulkenberg: Haas has the ‘momentum’ in RB F1 fight
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