Hulkenberg targets first F1 win with Audi as 2025 debut nears

Nico Hulkenberg has set a first Formula 1 victory as his primary career goal as he prepares to lead the new Audi works team in 2025, following a challenging initial shakedown for the German squad in Barcelona.

Why it matters:

For Hulkenberg, the most experienced driver without a Grand Prix win, achieving that elusive victory would be a monumental personal milestone. For Audi, securing a strong result early with an established and respected driver like Hulkenberg is crucial for validating its massive investment and ambitious entry into the sport, setting the tone for its long-term project.

The details:

• The Dream: Hulkenberg explicitly stated that winning a race is his target and dream, having finally secured his first podium finish in 2023. His focus is now on maximizing every opportunity with the car's potential.
• Audi's Rocky Start: The team's first track outing at the Barcelona shakedown was hampered by various reliability issues across three days of running, limiting valuable track time and data collection.
• Patience is Key: Hulkenberg emphasized that the immediate competitive level of the Audi package is still unknown. He stressed the need for patience to see where the team stands once the 2025 season begins in earnest.
• Dual Ambition: The German driver views his role as twofold: being a valuable asset to help build the Audi project for future success while simultaneously chasing personal achievement to cap his own career.

What's next:

Audi will get another critical opportunity to gather data and troubleshoot its reliability concerns at the official pre-season test in Bahrain next week. Hulkenberg's and the team's realistic potential will only become clear after the first few races of 2025, determining how quickly the dream of a win could become a tangible target.