Nico Hülkenberg is confident that Sauber can achieve a turnaround similar to his previous team, Haas. The American racing team climbed three places in the constructors’ championship between 2023 and 2024, and the German driver sees Sauber making a similar leap. “The foundation is not so bad,” explains Hülkenberg.
Nico Hülkenberg will be on the starting line in Melbourne in March as a Sauber driver. The German is leaving Haas, his American team for the past two seasons, for Sauber, ahead of the takeover by Audi. Hülkenberg is departing Haas just as the racing team is making a comeback in the constructors’ championship. The American team finished in seventh place in 2024, three places higher than the previous year.
“However, Hülkenberg has no regrets about leaving Haas at this time. The driver sees Haas’s turnaround as a good example for Sauber. “The example of Haas shows that it is possible, even in a short time,” Hülkenberg tells Auto, Motor und Sport. “I also believe that Sauber has already taken the first step in the right direction with the Las Vegas upgrade. That was a major correction.” Sauber finished last in the championship in 2024 with only four points.
Increased Competitiveness
Yet, the German remains optimistic. Hülkenberg was allowed to take a seat in the Sauber car during the post-season test in Abu Dhabi, and he already noticed that the car was ‘clearly more competitive’. “The foundation is not so bad. Of course, a lot of detail work still needs to be done and there are some things to optimize. The direction is clear.”
