Nico Hülkenberg is a Haas F1 Team driver but the majority of questions at his most recent press conference were focused on his future due to the fact the German racer heads to Audi for 2025 and beyond. Seeing how the German manufacturer announced earlier this week that Andreas Seidl has been removed as head of Audi Formula One project and replaced by former Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto, the media was eager to hear Hülkenberg’s opinion on the matter.
The press conference started as it meant to go on with Hülkenberg joking that he was surprised to see such full attendance. Sure enough the first question asked the German driver how influential Andrea Seidl was in his signing to which Hülkenberg quipped “Here we go, kickstarted.” before continuing in greater detail and also referring (although not by name) to Oliver Hoffman, the previous chairman of the boards of all Sauber companies, who has been replaced Gernot Döllner.
“Of course they were influential. These were the two guys we did the deal with. So that’s that. Obviously, kind of an unexpected change. But, obviously, I was informed the day of the announcement about the group’s decision by Gernot Döllner himself.
“And, you know, that’s the group’s decision that they want to change moving forward. I think big projects like this, you have obviously, in the management, people that are big pillars of such projects. But, they never just rely on one or two persons. So, in F1, everyone is, kind of changeable.”
Hülkenberg also explained that he obviously knows of Binotto from the past having been in the paddock most recently with Ferrari but has never worked with him “But that will change in a few months.”
With such a big change, the question was posed as to the 36-year-old as to whether he was concerned about the instability in the background.
“No, not concerned.” saidHülkenberg. “Now that was obviously a bit of a wave, a bit of a shock. But now, obviously, it’s back to business. And, I still look forward to join that project and to make it a successful story with Audi.
“The fact that, two people that were closely involved in signing me are not there anymore, of course, maybe a bit sad. But, I’m more interested about the project, joining Formula 1 with Audi and making it a successful story.”
As with any change, it also brings opportunity and to see his future team responding so quickly ahead of the Audi rebranding, Hülkenberg was then asked as to whether changes are beneficial as the progress anticipated in 2024 has not yet come.
“I think it shows that the CEO of Audi and that everyone is looking there where they are involved. And like you say, the fact that they take action means, you they’re very much involved and invested in it and hands-on. And that’s, I think, good and positive news, yeah.”
However, it was also made clear that unsurprisingly Hülkenberg is not involved with Audi’s project at present seeing how his focus is on Haas.
“It would be wrong and a conflict of interest.” Hülkenberg admitted. “I’m fully invested into this season still with Haas and fully committed. So not in a loop at all.”
2024 has so far shown Sauber uncompetitive with Haas beating them comfortably and finishing races well into the points by comparison. Even so, Hülkenberg stated he is not overly worried because he knows how quickly change happens in the pinnacle of motorsport.
“Look, obviously I see it weekend in, weekend out because they are in our group of teams, and cars that we compete against. And it’s a very fine line between hero and zero.
And two tenths, can mean you have a very different weekend, very good or very bad. So, I witness that every weekend and I know that small things can have a very big impact and make a big change, a big difference. So, I’m still confident going there next year that with some more positive inputs on their side and some things I can bring and maybe change, that we can turn it around even already next year.
“I’m not saying a huge step, but it only takes a few small steps in the midfield to be at the right end of it. So that’s that. I’ll remain positive.” explained the man currently P11 in this year’s F1 Drivers’ Championship.
Having seen successful small steps happening in a short time at Haas, the team’s top scorer of 2024 reflected on what this comes down to.
“Obviously, the main man is different and has a different style of managing, different style of leadership, different and new inputs. But, that can be refreshing or is refreshing as well. But, I think it all goes back.
“If you have a competitive package that allows you to compete for points, it’s just, yeah, a better environment and a happy environment.”
Audi are not the only team making changes following the announcement today of F1’s worst kept secret of the season that Esteban Ocon will join Hass from 2025. The question was then posed as to how well Ocon will fit in at Haas and balance things with his future teammate and F1 rookie Ollie Bearman.
“Look, I feel it’s not really my point to comment on that. It’s his decision and the team’s decision. Obviously, it’s an open market there and they found themselves, so they agreed a deal.”
Once again, the F1 career of Hülkenberg and Ocon seem intertwined. This is the third time the Frenchman will replace the German driver having seen it previously happen at Force India, Renault and now Haas.
“Yeah, no real surprises there that he came here for the third time. He seems to like my groundwork, so I’m sure he will be fine here.” quipped Hülkenberg.
Finally, after more than 8 minutes of the press conference, questions then turned to the upcoming weekend in Spa and whether the team will be back on track due to a better suited circuit for them than Hungary proved to be.
“Yeah, obviously very different track and set-up, everything, to be honest. So, I’m, yeah, cautiously optimistic and hopeful that it will be better. We do have also a special low downforce rear wing that we’re going to use here and in Monza, which we didn’t have last year. So, that’s quite positive as well coming into this weekend, at least on paper. But we’ll have to see, you know, tomorrow once we hit the track, how well the package performs.”
Time will tell as to how successful the move to Audi will be for Nico Hülkenberg but at present he finds himself in a team battle for P6 of the Constructors’ Championship. With RB and Aston proving tough competition on occasion too, there is a long way to go and much excitement still to come.
“It depends a little bit, weekend by weekend, track by track, who has the edge, maybe. But itis a race for us, like at the front, for at the front, obviously for the championship, but us for P6. And the race is on. Every weekend matters. Every point matters. But I’m hopeful and optimistic, and I know that everyone in the team is ready for the fight and hungry to achieve that.” concluded Hülkenberg.
