Nico Hulkenberg says Sauber CEO Andreas Seidl was the “driving factor” behind his decision to join the Swiss outfit in 2025 ahead of Audi’s official entry into F1 in 2026.
Last week, Audi officially announced its first significant move in the F1 driver market by securing Hulkenberg’s services on a multi-year contract.
This means the experienced German driver will be leaving his current team, Haas, at the end of the 2024 season.
The move marks a significant reunion for Hulkenberg and Seidl, who worked together during the Grand Prix driver’s spell with Porsche in the World Endurance Championship in 2015.
Seidl served as the team principal for the dominant Porsche LMP1 program, while Hulkenberg joined them for two races that year, including the legendary Le Mans event, where he achieved a remarkable victory alongside Nick Tandy and Earl Bamber.
When asked about the influence Seidl had in attracting him to Sauber, Hulkenberg acknowledged the former McLaren team principal's his crucial role.
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“Yeah, he's also the driving factor there. One of the deciders, one of the top key people in the management at Audi. So, of course, it came through him,” said the Hulk, speaking ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.
“And he's a very, you know, direct and straightforward guy with me.”
The Haas charger’s comments highlight the strong personal connection and mutual respect between Seidl and himself.
“I remember 2020 when it was COVID before the season started, and I was not sure what I wanted to do,” Hulkenberg continued.
“But I remember phoning him up and seeing - he was at McLaren obviously at the time. I was like, 'Andy, how is it looking? Is there maybe a chance for me?' And he was like, straight, 'No, don't even get your hopes up. It's not going to happen.'
“And you know, this time around, years later, it was very different. He was very keen to sign and to have me.”
While Hulkenberg is well acquainted with Seidl, the 36-year-old F1 veteran is also familiar with his future team, having raced for Sauber during the 2013 F1 season.
“With the team everything was fine,” he recalled. “It was only with one person that it was difficult. And that was the team principal, Monisha [Kaltenborn] at the time, which was a bit difficult and tricky situation, but everything else was fine.
“Every team I worked with and raced for, I never had problems with the team, with the mechanics, with the engineers, I've always enjoyed working with all the team members and working as a force, as a team pushing for performance.
“So obviously now that's quite different from back then.”
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