Former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto, who only officially takes the helm of Audi’s Formula 1 project from August 1st, is already actively recruiting the right people. Sporting director Jonathan Wheatley has made the switch from Red Bull to the German manufacturer. However, Audi still has one crucial decision to make: who will be Nico Hülkenberg’s teammate?
According to the German publication Auto, Motor und Sport, former Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich is a strong contender for the second driver spot in Audi’s line-up. Currently under contract with Aston Martin, Drugovich’s chances of securing a permanent driving position there are slim, given the long-term contracts of both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll. There have reportedly been discussions between Sauber and Drugovich, but no concrete offer has been made yet.
Drugovich is not the only candidate for Audi. The manufacturer could also dip into their own talent pool. The 20-year-old Zane Maloney is essentially the only driver immediately available for the team. Many other young talents, such as Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Isack Hadjar, are under contract with Audi’s competitors.
Will Audi Opt for Experience in Their Line-Up?
Audi could also choose to place an experienced driver alongside Hülkenberg. Both Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are currently driving for Sauber, but Audi could also wait to see how things develop at Red Bull. The Austrian team has six drivers and only four cockpits. Only Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda are assured of their seats for 2025. The futures of Sergio Pérez, Daniel Ricciardo, Liam Lawson, and Red Bull talent Hadjar are uncertain due to expiring contracts and underwhelming performances.
