P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Nico Hulkenberg has penned a multi-year extension with the Audi Formula 1 team and will depart Haas at the end of the current season.
Nico Hulkenberg has recently shared that Audi F1 CEO Andreas Seidl played a significant role in his decision to join Audi’s F1 project. Hulkenberg signed a multi-year deal with Audi and will be part of the Stake F1 team starting from 2025, preceding Audi’s full takeover in the subsequent year. As the first driver confirmed for the squad, there is speculation that outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz might take the second seat. Seidl, previously holding a leadership position at McLaren, took on the CEO role at Audi F1 earlier this year, influencing Hulkenberg’s choice to join the team. Hulkenberg had previously collaborated with Seidl at Porsche LMP1, winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015 under Seidl’s leadership. Following his departure from Renault in 2019, Hulkenberg reached out to Seidl at McLaren for potential opportunities, receiving a negative response at that time, but finding a positive outcome when joining Audi.
