Ralf Schumacher is ‘excited’ to see who Haas replace Nico Hulkenberg with after he signed a multi-year contract with Sauber ahead of Audi entering Formula 1 in 2026.
The Hinwil, Switzerland natives will enjoy their final season as Sauber in 2025 ahead of Audi turning them into its factory F1 entry. Audi sealed full control of Sauber in March to join the travelling circus with a works team when F1 embraces new technical and engine regulations.
Yet despite Audi taking Sauber over in 2026, the German automotive giant is already making its presence felt. Haas confirmed that Hulkenberg will leave the American team on Friday as he has signed a multi-year contract for Audi, said to be three years, to join Sauber next year.
Ralf Schumacher ‘would bet on’ Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas replacing Nico Hulkenberg at Haas
Audi is clear to decide the 2025 driver line-up at Sauber as Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are both out of contract at the end of 2024. Hulkenberg was also free to sign for Sauber and Audi’s project as his contract for Haas ends after 2024. Now, Haas must replace the German.
Schumacher also feels Haas will now have to replace both drivers as Kevin Magnussen is not doing ‘enough’ to keep his seat. But they will still need an experienced driver in one of their cars. So, Haas should replace Hulkenberg with Bottas, who is likely on the way out at Sauber.
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Bottas joined Sauber in 2022 while they still ran as Alfa Romeo after five terms at Mercedes, where he won 10 Grand Prix. So, Schumacher feels the 34-year-old would be an ideal option for Haas. The 2024 Chinese GP marked Bottas’ 228th entry since his F1 debut back in 2013.
“They still need a good, experienced driver,” Schumacher told Sky Germany. “I don’t think Magnussen will be enough and I’m excited to see who goes there. I would bet on Bottas [replacing Hulkenberg] but we’ll see.”
Haas will lose their leading driver to Sauber and the Audi project in 2025
Haas may elect to replace Magnussen as well as finding Hulkenberg’s heir as the 31-year-old is also out of contract after 2024. The Dane has also only scored one point so far this season to the four that Hulkenberg boasts. He even only moved into the top 10 after a rival crashed.
Magnussen crept into the points during the 2024 Australian GP after George Russell crashed on the final lap. He has also only finished in front of his 36-year-old teammate in 2024 at the Bahrain GP with P12 to P16. Hulkenberg is dominating their Formula 1 driver head-to-head.
Similarly, Bottas is dominating Zhou in some categories in the head-to-head teammate fight at Sauber. The Finn has out-qualified the sole full-time Chinese F1 driver to date 5-0 in 2024. But Zhou has recorded the better race finish with P11 in the Bahrain GP to Bottas’ two P14s.
The post ‘I’m excited’: Schumacher ‘would bet on’ 10-win F1 driver replacing Hulkenberg at Haas appeared first on F1 Oversteer.