Transfer market: Audi still aiming for Hulkenberg

Haas's driver line-up of Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hulkenberg is anexperienced one, with the duo having strong resumés to their name.Nevertheless, it is still somewhat surprising to see both driversback on the grid again next year - not because of their performancein 2023 but rather due to the fact that a couple of years ago, areturn to a seat in Formula 1 seemed improbable. Magnussenexperienced a very strong 2022 season in which he had an advantageover Mick Schumacher. As a result, the Dane went into the 2023season with confidence, although it soon became clear that Haas didnot possess a competitive car this year. Even the update the teambrought to Austin did not ultimately make a large difference, withHulkenberg even switching back to the old-spec car. As always, theGerman was honest with the team and that feedback was put to gooduse at Haas. The relatively small F1 team does not have theresources to make a major change throughout a season, so it willhave to move in the right direction immediately with the 2024 car.In doing so, the team desperately needs feedback from Magnussen andHulkenberg - a resource that is valuable to the squad and saw it goin the direction of employing experience rather than taking achance on youth. But Steiner will worry whether he will still haveHulkenberg at his disposal after 2024 as the 36-year-old driver isbeing eyed by Sauber/Audi. The Swiss-based team, which will betaken over by Audi in 2026, hopes to sign in Hulkenberg for the2025 season. With his experience, Hulkenberg can contribute a lotto the construction of Audi's first F1 car in 2026. The Germanconfirmed earlier this year that talks had taken place with Audi,although it seemed at the time that they would not be followed updirectly. 2024 opportunity at Sauber RacingNews365 understands fromseveral sources that Hulkenberg was offered a 2024 seat at Sauberthis year. However, because Haas took up the German's option in hiscontract, Hulkenberg was unable to consider the offer fromSauber/Audi at all. Magnussen, who is entering his ninth F1 season,is a well-respected driver in Formula 1 who had no troublealongside Schumacher - but the case was different with Hulkenberg.Last season's statistics speak for themselves: 15-7 in qualifyingduels, 13-9 in race results and 9-3 in World Championship points,all in Hulkenberg's favour. These statistics have given Sauber/Audieven more confidence in the value of Hulkenberg. It is apparentthat Hulkenberg has the experience, something Audi in particular islooking for, but it is also clear that despite Hulkenberg's age,there is no wear and tear on the German yet. Perhaps Hulkenberg,like Alonso, may also be able to continue in the sport for years tocome. Hulkenberg is now in an ideal position - while he knows thatthere is great interest from Sauber/Audi, additionally, he can waitfor the first races of next year to watch the development of Haas.Regardless, even if Haas does manage to make strong gains with itscar, the Audi project for the future will always be moreinteresting for a driver. But there is still pressure on Hulkenbergto follow-up his strong comeback season to ensure that Sauber/Audimaintains interest in him. Fierce battle for 2025 and 2026 seats atSauber/Audi The current driver duo at Sauber, however, will notgive in easily. The drivers will do everything they can to winthemselves the 2025, but especially the 2026 seat. 2026 will markthe time that the team will finally go through life as a factoryoutfit and it should be possible for the Swiss team to fight forpoints - perhaps podiums - every week. It's an opportunity that asa driver you don't want to miss, but of course, the competition isaware of that as well. Carlos Sainz, for example, is also oftenlinked to Audi. After all, Sainz Senior has an excellent recordwith the German manufacturer. Sainz Junior is performing well atFerrari but rumours regarding a possible switch are quicklycirculating. Nevertheless, for now, the Spaniard seems to prefer alonger stay at Ferrari, despite the fact that Charles Leclerc stillseems to be the front-runner for the Scuderia. It will soon becomeclear whether Sainz will re-sign with Ferrari for one or two years,which will paint a clearer picture over the competition for a seatat Audi in 2026. At the moment, however, Hulkenberg appears to bein pole position to secure one of the two seats at Audi.