Six months remain until Sauber officially transforms into the Audi factory team in Formula 1, and the German marque is already setting ambitious goals, with Nico Hülkenberg at the center of their plans.
Why it matters
Audi aims to compete for the F1 world title by 2030, a challenge project manager Mattia Binotto likens to "climbing Mount Everest." Hülkenberg's extensive experience is seen as crucial for both car development and generating momentum for the team's long-term aspirations.
The big picture
For the 38-year-old Hülkenberg, 2026 marks a new chapter as Audi takes over Sauber, restructuring the Hinwil-based team with a clear roadmap to climb to the top. Binotto, with decades of Ferrari experience, states, "I want Nico to climb ahead."
The details
- Hülkenberg's Role: He is expected to contribute significantly to the development of the new car. Additionally, he must continue delivering strong results for Sauber this year to build momentum. His recent third-place finish at Silverstone was a sensational first podium.
- Binotto's Expectations (with a caveat): "I expect Nico to win every single race," Binotto joked, adding, "For that, however, we need the best car."
- Major Challenges Ahead: Binotto emphasizes the scale of the task, highlighting numerous "construction sites":
- Integration of both Audi and Sauber sites.
- Developing a unified team mentality and behavior.
- Expanding team size (currently 150 employees short compared to top teams).
- Upgrading factory capacities and instruments like the simulator and wind tunnel.
- Bridging the "huge gap" to top teams.
- Realistic Outlook: While the team is growing, a "vertical start" in 2026 is unlikely. Audi expects each season post-2026 to be better than the last.
What's next
Audi believes all necessary resources are in place for success. Binotto expresses hope, "I hope so, and I think so," when asked if German fans will eventually see Hülkenberg win in an Audi. The journey to the summit has been planned, and the climb is just beginning.