Steiner thinks ‘risk’ was ‘greater’ if Hulkenberg joined 2 F1 teams over Sauber

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Guenther Steiner thinks the ‘risk’ would have been ‘greater’ if departing Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg had signed with two rival Formula 1 teams over Sauber from 2025.

The 36-year-old sealed a switch from Haas to Sauber for next year by signing a three-year contract with Audi. Hulkenberg sought a move to Hinwil, Switzerland on a long-term deal as Audi will take Sauber over in 2026. Audi has bought 100% of the team to have a works entry.

It also marks a return to Hinwil for Hulkenberg as he also drove for Sauber through the 2013 F1 season. He also reunites with Audi chief executive Andreas Seidl, with whom Hulkenberg won the 24 Hours of Le Mans driving for Porsche as a one-off entry in their third car in 2015.

Guenther Steiner thinks Nico Hulkenberg would have suited Mercedes or Red Bull

Audi was clear to target Hulkenberg as it gets established at Sauber as the German was only under contract with Haas through 2024. He also started this term strongly by scoring points with a P10 finish in the Saudi Arabian GP, a P9 in the Australian and a P10 in the Chinese GP.

Hulkenberg also scored points with P7 in the F1 Sprint at the Miami GP after announcing his departure from Haas for Sauber. But Steiner feels the one-time pole sitter would have been a credible candidate for Mercedes and Red Bull had he not signed up to join Audi’s F1 entry.

READ MORE: Every Formula 1 team’s confirmed driver line-ups for the 2025 season

Mercedes are still seeking a replacement for Lewis Hamilton after the 39-year-old confirmed that he is joining Ferrari next year. Red Bull may also have a vacancy with Sergio Perez out of contract. Max Verstappen could also yet force his way out of Red Bull after the 2024 season.

But Steiner concedes the ‘risk’ would have been ‘greater’ if Hulkenberg joined Mercedes or Red Bull over leaving Haas for Sauber and Audi’s project. The German could have especially been left to wonder how long he would have lasted in Brackley as Hamilton’s replacement.

“I think so,” Steiner said, via Sport.de. “Then the risk would have been greater for Nico that it might not work out. You don’t know exactly what will happen. Will Max stay or not? What will happen at Mercedes? And if he gets a Mercedes contract, how long will it last?”

Sauber marked Nico Hulkenberg’s only option to be a factory F1 driver with Audi

Hulkenberg may have been an attractive option for Mercedes as the Silver Arrows have not had a German driver since Nico Rosberg retired straight after winning the championship in 2016. But the Brackley natives showed little interest in tempting Hulkenberg to leave Haas.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know on F1’s 2026 technical and engine regulations

Red Bull also did not consider Hulkenberg as a potential replacement for Perez at the Milton Keynes team. So, a move to Sauber ahead of Audi taking the team over in 2026 was the only offer available for Hulkenberg to be a factory Formula 1 driver in the not-too-distant future.

Audi can now lean on Hulkenberg’s experience as it prepares to take Sauber over as a works constructor and engine manufacturer. The Miami GP marked the Emmerich am Rhein-born driver’s 212th Grand Prix entry, of which he has started 209 and now has 536 career points.