According to the latest rumours, Sauber, which will take the Audi name from 2026, has its eyes on Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon, indicated as the main profiles to form the driver line up for 2025.
According to the latest rumours, Sauber, which will take the Audi name from 2026, would have set his sights on Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Ocon, indicated as the main profiles to form the driver line up for 2025. The other possible name that’s going around it is that of the other Alpine driver, Pierre Gasly, with the Neuburg team which would however prefer to focus on the former Force India and Mercedes.
Sauber-Audi driver line-up 2025: priority to Hulkenberg, then Ocon © Audi
Sauber-Audi driver line up 2025: priority to Hulkenberg, then Ocon
Con the vast majority of top drivers already largely armored by their respective teamsthe drivers market, as far as the current grid is concerned, does not have much to offer a project like Audi, which although ambitious, However, it remains a lottery for first/second tier drivers.
At the momentonly Carlos Sainz seems to be the only one still uncertain about his future, while both Max Verstappen and the two Mercedes and the two McLarens should sleep peacefully, at least until 2025. Theoretically, Leclerc is also out of contract next season. However, barring sensational twists, the Monegasque should continue his adventure with Ferrari.
So Audi could find itself forced to bet on slightly less prominent drivers than the aforementioned ones, although still very respectable.
Nico Hulkenberg would fit into this perspective, which would be, to date, the number one objective according to motorsport.it. Clearly Audi would be happy to have at least one of the two drivers of German nationality, while the second seat would be contested between the two Alpines. Both have contact expiring next season, with Ocon who seems to have a slight advantage.
Read also: F1 | Perez and the ultimatum received from Red Bull: the rumors in the paddock intensify
In the meantime, both in Neuburg, home of the Power Unit department, and in Hinwil, massive recruitment continues unabated with a view to 2025. According to motorsport.it, ”the goal of reaching 400 employees, who will be working full time on the hybrid engine project, it has not yet been achieved, but the recruitment campaign continues unabated.”
Also in Hinwil, the plan is to go from the current 550 employees up to 800 by 2025, when Audi inherits the structures currently used by Alfa Romeo. The hiring process, especially as regards senior figures, however, it is anything but simple.
This is due first and foremost to the long period of gardening to which the engineers are subjected. Secondly, abandoning already well-established realities to embrace a risky albeit ambitious project like that of the Germans it is not an easy choice.
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2023-10-25 06:45:00
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