Mattia Binotto backs Nico Hulkenberg to achieve one extraordinary feat with Audi’s F1 team

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Nico Hulkenberg has led an incredible Sauber resurgence in 2025 and is helping to build some crucial momentum for the future.

With 37 points, the German driver is in the top 10 of the drivers’ championship, and even managed to break a 15-year podium curse this season.

The last time Hulkenberg managed to finish a campaign as high as ninth was back in 2018 with Renault. He’s one of the greatest midfield drivers of all time, who never got a shot higher up the grid.

Soon, Sauber will transition to Audi, and it will be his job to lead the new outfit heading into the 2026 F1 regulations with a new engine, made in-house.

Alex Jacques suggests Red Bull should look at Hulkenberg, considering their current driver woes, but he’s under contract for next year.

Teammate Gabriel Bortoleto was motivated by Hulkenberg’s podium after seeing what sort of potential his car has in Silverstone. He will want to replicate it next.

READ MORE: Anthony Davidson snubs Nico Hulkenberg to name surprising rival F1 driver as his ‘best of the rest’

Mattia Binotto backs Nico Hulkenberg to win an F1 race for Audi

Nico Rosberg identified Hulkenberg’s ‘Achilles’ heel and believes that a lack of social intelligence hampered his chances of joining top teams.

On the track, his talents cannot be doubted, and even at the age of 38, he continues to keep up with and be faster than the rookies of today.

His new team boss, Mattia Binotto, has plenty of faith in his skill and hopes that he can achieve an extraordinary feat with Audi when they finally join the grid.

“I want Nico to climb at the front,” he said, according to Sky Sport DE, via SID. When questioned about their desire for Hulkenberg to reach the top step, he said, “I hope so. And I think so.”

Audi could be F1’s surprise 2026 title contenders if their preparation has been good under Binotto, who is a very experienced leader from his time at Ferrari. They make good dark horse candidates.

READ MORE: Mattia Binotto begs Sauber to embrace Michael Schumacher’s ‘unique’ trait ahead of Audi’s takeover

Why Audi faces the ‘Mount Everest of challenges’ before joining F1

With just 10 races to go before the winter break, teams are going to be pushing through with their plans for 2026 already, with this year’s cars all but done with.

Pre-season testing is even earlier than usual next year, starting at the end of January, giving teams more time to iron out any potential reliability issues.

Audi face the ‘Mount Everest of challenges’ to prepare for the 2026 season, with the most sweeping set of changes ever seen to adjust to.

Everything will start from scratch, all while making their own power unit. It will be more important to have experience in the team than ever.