Nico Hülkenberg Outlines What Audi Must Do to Be Successful in Formula 1 for 2026

[Source: Motorsport Week]

Motorsport Week recently caught up with Sauber Formula 1 driver, Nico Hülkenberg. In the discussion, the 38-year-old racing veteran outlined what he believes Audi must do to be able to be a competitive Formula 1 team in 2026. 

The 76th Formula 1 season is going to be nothing like the previous 75. For 2026 there will be extensive rule changes. The cars will be brand new and new teams will be joining the grid. One of those new teams is Audi as the current Sauber team transitions to the new Audi factory team.

With so much change, the 2026 season is filled with uncertainty. Can a new team like Audi compete with the established powerhouses like McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes? Hülkenberg has 241 career Grand Prix starts, so he knows a thing or two about the sport. And he has some ideas.

Hülkenberg admits that with such a major revamp of the rules it is tough to make any firm predictions more than six months before the first race weekend. However, he does have some advice on how Audi can compete.

“The important thing is that we put all the right things in place, that we continue growing, improve the infrastructure, improve the team, the foundation of the team, to become this bigger factory team. And, yeah, I think on that we are kind of obviously on the journey, but there’s always things to do, of course,” said Hülkenberg.

Next year remains a mystery but 2025 has seen plenty of positive momentum. The Sauber team has scored points in the last six consecutive Grands Prix. Hülkenberg scored his first ever podium at Silverstone in early July. That is the direction you want to see a team heading in before the new year.

Ten races remain in 2025 but Hülkenberg has already completed simulations for the 2026 regulations. This gives the team an early look at potential performance under the new rules. It is never too early to start looking ahead if Audi wants to get to the top step of the podium next year.