Nico Hülkenberg’s move to Audi has been a promotion in every sense, especially financially, according to Bild Zeitung. The well-informed German tabloid reports that Hülkenberg will earn five million euros annually at his new employer.
Nico Hülkenberg was high on Audi’s wish list, currently still Sauber/Stake F1. The German veteran brings a wealth of experience and has proven to still possess ample speed this year. At Haas, he is currently the only one scoring World Championship points. Audi’s top manager, Andreas Seidl, was therefore keen to sign Hülkenberg, and a fitting annual salary comes with it. Bild claims that this will more than double from 2025 compared to Hülkenberg’s current salary at Haas of two million euros.
Uncertainty Over Hülkenberg’s Teammate
Who will be the German’s teammate next year is still unclear. There is a high chance that the contracts of both Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, the current drivers of Stake F1, will not be extended. Audi’s team management seems insufficiently convinced of their abilities to meet the high demands of the ambitious factory team. It’s a public secret that Audi is vying for Carlos Sainz for the second seat.
Carlos Sainz: A Potential Candidate?
The Spaniard must leave Ferrari after this season, with Lewis Hamilton taking his place at the Italian racing stable, and is seen by Audi as the ideal candidate for the F1 project from 2026. According to Red Bull’s advisor Helmut Marko, the car manufacturer from Ingolstadt has already made Sainz a lucrative offer that Red Bull ‘cannot match’. However, the Spaniard has several options and is reportedly also of interest to Mercedes.
