P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Audi has already signed one-half of its 2026 Formula 1 line-up but is in no rush to announce who will take on the other seat when it joins the grid in two years’ time.
Audi’s CEO of Formula 1 operations, Andreas Seidl, provided an update on the driver market following the signing of one-half of its 2026 lineup, Nico Hulkenberg. The team has secured an agreement with Hulkenberg, who will move to Stake F1 next year before Audi’s entry in 2026. Audi, preparing to become a works team, is developing its own power unit for the upcoming season. Seidl highlighted Hulkenberg’s speed and experience as key reasons for choosing him, emphasizing his importance in Audi’s future endeavors. While other drivers, like Carlos Sainz and Valtteri Bottas, have been linked to the second seat, Audi is in no rush to finalize their decision and will continue assessing performance before making a selection later in the year.
