Hülkenberg’s current team Haas announced on Friday morning that the German would leave the team at the end of the 2024 season.
The 36-year-old was out of contract at Haas and had long been known to be on Audi F1 CEO Andreas Seidl’s shortlist.
Hülkenberg will now join the team, which will still be known as Sauber in 2025, a year before Audi officially enters F1 in 2026 on a multi-year deal. He previously raced for the Swiss-based team in 2013.
“I return to the team I worked with in 2013 and I have fond memories of the strong team spirit in Switzerland,” Hülkenberg said.
“The prospect of competing for Audi is something very special. When a German manufacturer launches into Formula 1 with such determination, it is a unique opportunity.
“Representing the factory team of such a car brand with a German-made powertrain is a great honor for me.”
Hulkenberg and Seidl have previously worked together on the Porsche WEC team, with the pair winning the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans together under Hulkenberg’s appearance for the Weissach team, where Seidl was team principal .
“We are very happy to welcome Nico back here in Hinwil from 2025 and to compete with him in Formula 1,” commented Seidl.
“With his speed, experience and commitment to teamwork, he will play an important role in the transformation of our team – and Audi’s F1 project.
“From the start, there was a great mutual interest in building something together for the long term.
“Nico has a strong personality and his contribution, on a professional and personal level, will help us progress both in the development of the car and in building the team.”
Audi is also known to have offered out-of-contract Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz to join Hulkenberg at the team next year, but the Spaniard is still considering his options given there are other potential vacancies in the best F1 teams.
If Sainz takes the pen, it would mean current Sauber drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu would both have to leave the team at the end of the year.
Ferrari reserve driver Oliver Bearman is said to be the leading candidate to replace Hülkenberg at Haas, on loan from the Scuderia.
Sauber is yet to score any points in 2024, having been plagued by pit stop issues in the season-opening races, while Audi works in the background to deliver a stronger package for wholesale regulatory changes in 2026.
