Laurence Edmondson questions whether McLaren and Mercedes can overtake Red Bull at Spa-Francorchamps. (1:13)
SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium – Nico Hülkenberg said he was surprised when Audi, the logo on which he has staked his future in Formula 1, announced the departure of CEO Andreas Seidl and president Oliver Hoffmann from their F1 assignment this week.
Haas-driven Hülkenberg announced as a Sauber driver for 2025 earlier this year ahead of the team’s transformation into an Audi factory team in 2026.
Hulkenberg signed a multi-year contract with Seidl and Hoffguyn earlier this year, but neither will be part of the team when they join next season.
“It was obviously a small wave, a small shock,” Hulkenberg said. “But now, obviously, everything is back to normal. “
“And I’m looking forward to joining this assignment and turning it into a good luck story with or without the fact that, you know, two other people who were very concerned about my hiring are no longer here.
“Of course, it’s a bit sad, but I’m more interested in the project, joining Formula 1 with Audi and turning it into a good luck story. “
Audi showed off the departures on Tuesday and also announced the arrival of former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto in a new role as operations leader and technical director.
Hülkenberg revealed that he did not inform him of the reorganization of the control until the day of the announcement, when the CEO of the Audi group, Gernot Donner, called him on the phone.
“Well, of course they were influential, they were the two guys we made a deal with,” Hulkenberg said of Seidl and Hoffmann. “So that’s it, a bit of an unforeseen change.
“But on the day of the announcement of the group’s resolution I reported through Gernot Donner himself. This is the group’s resolution that they must replace in the future.
“I think that big projects like this have other people under control who are great pillars of said projects, but they never have one or two other people.
“And in Formula 1, everyone is replaceable. And as far as Mattia is concerned, I know him clearly from the past in the paddock, but I’ve never worked with him. But that will replace him in a few months. “
Hulkenberg said he was “not worried” about the sudden change, instead pointing to Audi’s transparent commitment to completing the task by 2026.
“I think it shows that, you know, the CEO of Audi and everyone are looking, seeing what they’re involved in,” he said.
“The fact that they’re acting means they’re very involved, committed and involved. And I think that’s positive news. “