168 replies to this topic

[SpaceHorseParty]

BREAKING: Nico Hulkenberg will part company with Haas at the end of 2024

 

Audi announcement imminent?

[CSF]

BREAKING: Nico Hulkenberg will part company with Haas at the end of 2024

 

Audi announcement imminent?

 

And its announced! 

[gowebber]

Hulk to Sauber. Wow this silly season is bonkers! Where does this leave Bottas and Zhou. Also Carlos 😮

https://twitter.com/...-WZJ2c5O1Q&s=19

Edited by gowebber, 26 April 2024 - 08:44.

[flingsofdeon]

Good man. Great move and what a superb job he’s done to revive his career. Bearman to HAAS then…

[JRodrigues]

Edited by JRodrigues, 26 April 2024 - 08:45.

[midgrid]

I wonder if he will replace Bottas or Zhou? Or perhaps the team will sign Sainz or someone else and it will become academic.

[baddog]

Good hire for Audi/Sauber.

 

Now they just need Newey and Carlos ;)

[Ali623]

Hulk to Sauber. Wow this silly season is bonkers! Where does this leave Bottas and Zhou. Also Carlos

https://twitter.com/...-WZJ2c5O1Q&s=19

 

Hulkenberg was always going to Sauber/Audi regardless, seems like they're getting rid of both Bottas and Zhou, with Sainz in the other seat if he accepts the offer - Gasly/Ocon are rumoured to be next in line if Sainz doesn't accept.

[CSF]

Hulk to Sauber. Wow this silly season is bonkers! Where does this leave Bottas and Zhou. Also Carlos

https://twitter.com/...-WZJ2c5O1Q&s=19

 

Pretty convinced Bottas will retire. 

[macjim]

TBH, apart from being German, I don't see Nico as a great swap for Valtteri 

[Calum]

Solid performer. Pretty uncontroversial overall. Has ambitions that would fit the first years of Audi (a podium being a success and step forward).

Not unreasonable to see him doing another 5 years.

Think it’s a good start for Audi. Interested to see who else they pick.

Edited by Calum, 26 April 2024 - 09:02.

[ANF]

Happy for Hülkenberg!

[KWSN - DSM]

This move was in the making since early last year, can not see why anyone are surprised. I still expect Sainz to be confirmed as the other Audi driver, and that regardless of the noise around him, Sainz have already put pen to paper with them.

 

Well done by Hulkenberg, who have taken the resurrection all the way to a factory seat.

[jonklug]

Nice to see young talent being recognized and given the opportunity to shine for years to come! Need more of this! 

[Darnswim]

There couldn't be a better driver to guide Audi in their first years. Very calm, extremely quick and professional. Insanely good move for all parties. Hopefully he gets his deserved podium there as well.

 

 

 

Edit: Also, didn't realise he's 36! I thought he'd be at least 39... So he has a couple of years ahead of him as well.

Edited by Darnswim, 26 April 2024 - 09:08.

[DS27]

Excellent news, though knowing his luck, he will be retiring just as the car starts becoming competitive, a bit like MS at Mercedes

[Yoshi]

Good move and its finally happening.

[Disgrace]

TBH, apart from being German, I don't see Nico as a great swap for Valtteri 

 

Bottas has been phoning it in for a while now. Hulkenberg has made Magnussen firmly the number two since he replaced Mick. It's an unquestionable upgrade in my eyes.

[Nemo1965]

Nicest bloke on the grid. The Chris Amon of podiums.

[TennisUK]

This does have McNish and Salo to Toyota vibes to me. Solid enough but not a signing with a great deal of ambition. I suppose being sensible, Audi are going to take a few years to become established, so perhaps he’s a good solid choice.

[krea]

TBH, apart from being German, I don't see Nico as a great swap for Valtteri

Guy is straight up carrying Haas.

[Henri Greuter]

Nice to see young talent being recognized and given the opportunity to shine for years to come! Need more of this! 

 

 

Funny, this kind of thinking regarding young talent been given a chance came up with me when Ferrari signed Lewis and Aston Martin signed Alonso for the foreseeable future  

Edited by Henri Greuter, 26 April 2024 - 09:34.

[krea]

Funny, this kind of thinking regarding young talent been given a chance came up with me when Ferrari signed Lewis and Aston Martin signed Alonso for the foreseeable future

None of the ‘young’ talents in the past years were doing anything.

[Centauri]

None of the ‘young’ talents in the past years were doing anything.

 

 

Agreed. The grid should be about talent, first and foremost. Can't say I've been hugely impressed with many of the young drivers in the immediate recent years... so why not pick someone who is performing at a high level for another team... even if he's 58 years old! 

[ensign14]

Hulk to Sauber. Wow this silly season is bonkers! Where does this leave Bottas and Zhou. Also Carlos

Completely bonkers.  This is as bad as when Alex Caffi went from Osella to Scuderia Italia.

[P123]

A nationality hire.... but hopefully Hulk can finally get that elusive podium.

[KavB]

Awesome. It is impressive to see how Hulkenberg revived his career when it looked like it was over after 2019, particularly as he will be racing into his 40s.

 

I know he attracts a lot of flack for not having a podium finish, but his longevity in this sport shows he is well respected in the paddock. Though I do suspect the Audi stint will play out similarly to his Renault stint. He will help the team to become established in the sport before they sign someone they consider more attractive, though he will be 40 by that point so it is not entirely unexpected. I just hope he can get that podium before he finally retires.

[midgrid]

Nice to see young talent being recognized and given the opportunity to shine for years to come! Need more of this! 

 

This does give Bearman a clear path into a Haas seat.

[Clatter]

Hulk to Sauber. Wow this silly season is bonkers! Where does this leave Bottas and Zhou. Also Carlos 😮

https://twitter.com/...-WZJ2c5O1Q&s=19

Well theres a seat spare at Haas.

[jonklug]

Agreed. The grid should be about talent, first and foremost. Can't say I've been hugely impressed with many of the young drivers in the immediate recent years... so why not pick someone who is performing at a high level for another team... even if he's 58 years old! 

 

There's a lot of young talent who haven't done a single F1 race but deserved to. 

[Heyli]

I was surprised he was offered a multi-year contract, because he's a veteran who's been arround a long time and he's getting quite old. Then I realised he is still 3 years younger than I am...

 

I think it's a solid choice for a "new" team. Hope he'll be succesful!

[Anderis]

Bottas has been phoning it in for a while now. Hulkenberg has made Magnussen firmly the number two since he replaced Mick. It's an unquestionable upgrade in my eyes.

This year Bottas is dominating Zhou more convincingly than the year before and he overtook Hulkenberg on track in the last 2 races before his races went south due to poor pit stops and reliability. I agree he's been a bit up and down in the last few years but his most recent form is stronger than what he gets credit for. I don't think there's that much between them at the moment, though long term I can see Hulkenberg being more motivated and less likely to decline sharply, likely motivated by Audi's involvement in his future team, while Bottas has already driven for a dominating Mercedes.

[krea]

There's a lot of young talent who haven't done a single F1 race but deserved to.

Problems are the Riciardos, Strolls, Bottas, Seargants not that older driver who actually performs well

[Centauri]

This year Bottas is dominating Zhou more convincingly than the year before and he overtook Hulkenberg on track in the last 2 races before his races went south due to poor pit stops and reliability. I agree he's been a bit up and down in the last few years but his most recent form is stronger than what he gets credit for. I don't think there's that much between them at the moment, though long term I can see Hulkenberg being more motivated and less likely to decline sharply, likely motivated by Audi's involvement in his future team, while Bottas has already driven for a dominating Mercedes.

 

 

To be honest, if I was Audi I'd say to Sainz.... give us an answer within two weeks or we will sign Bottas for a 1-year extension.

 

Even if they lose Sainz, I don't see much harm in keeping Bottas for one extra year so that we can see how he compares with Nico - then the questions will be answered.

[kumo7]

I love the idea. Hulk is on it now, he can be the one at Audi. Good luck for him.

[PayasYouRace]

I hope Audi finally give him the success his talent deserves.

[Disgrace]

This year Bottas is dominating Zhou more convincingly than the year before and he overtook Hulkenberg on track in the last 2 races before his races went south due to poor pit stops and reliability. I agree he's been a bit up and down in the last few years but his most recent form is stronger than what he gets credit for. I don't think there's that much between them at the moment, though long term I can see Hulkenberg being more motivated and less likely to decline sharply, likely motivated by Audi's involvement in his future team, while Bottas has already driven for a dominating Mercedes.

 

Yep, definitely agree about Bottas' recent form. He was very unlucky in China, it was his best weekend since perhaps early 2022.

[MattPete]

Kewl. The Hulk seems to be getting the job done, whereas Bottas seems to be phoning it in, and Zhou, although I like him, seems to be matching Bottas, at best.


BTW: am I imagining things, or have the Hulk + Sainz to Audi rumors been floating around since the Summer of 20/3?

[Risil]

This does give Bearman a clear path into a Haas seat.

 

I bet whoever actually wins the F2 championship will be dead annoyed when the Prema drivers get promoted to F1 regardless

[FirstnameLastname]

Like Mika Salo signing for Toyota at the start. Gets the setup years out the way

[FirstnameLastname]

Biggest winner is Magnussen. He’ll be celebrating today

[kumo7]

Yep, definitely agree about Bottas' recent form. He was very unlucky in China, it was his best weekend since perhaps early 2022.

Bottas does not appear to have things done, that is a bit of problem for him.

[Anuity]

Good for Hulk. And for the start it's also good for  Audi, a solid driver like Heidfeld was BMW.

 

But isn't it strange, that they, apparently, choose  Hulk over Bottas, a multiple race winner and a younger driver? How low has Bottas fallen? He probably still has a chance of getting a drive their if they are not getting Sainz, but it seems rather unlikely at the moment. What a strange career he has had.

[Benchulo]

"Hulkenberg would likely have had a fantastic career if there had been a tyre war in F1 and it was all about driving flat-out for a long time. He could probably have been a megastar and driving for top teams, possibly even a world champion" according to Mark Hughes.

[SpeedRacer`]

Bearman... actually isn't setting the world alight in F2 so far.

[Benchulo]

Bearman... actually isn't setting the world alight in F2 so far.

He did well in his first outing in F1. That would be enough for him to get a seat at Haas next season, IMO.

[midgrid]

I bet whoever actually wins the F2 championship will be dead annoyed when the Prema drivers get promoted to F1 regardless

 

Yes, especially if Sauber junior Zane Maloney wins the championship but loses out specifically due to this signing.

[FirstnameLastname]

Good for Hulk. And for the start it's also good for Audi, a solid driver like Heidfeld was BMW.

But isn't it strange, that they, apparently, choose Hulk over Bottas, a multiple race winner and a younger driver? How low has Bottas fallen? He probably still has a chance of getting a drive there if they are not getting Sainz, but it seems rather unlikely at the moment. What a strange career he has had.

German manufacturer wanted a German driver I guess.

[jonklug]

Problems are the Riciardos, Strolls, Bottas, Seargants not that older driver who actually performs well

 

sure, I partly agree, but Hulk has had a full career and 0 podiums. Sure, he's consistent and a safe pair of hands. Isn't that unambitious af though? 

[jonklug]

Bearman... actually isn't setting the world alight in F2 so far.

 

Neither is Antonelli, and I was repeatedly told that it was unacceptable to not win a championship with Prema on the first go if you're a serious driver.