Audi’s Mattia Binotto wants to name Nico Hulkenberg’s partner for next year “as soon as possible”
Audi team boss Mattia Binotto is keen on announcing Nico Hulkenberg's teammate at Sauber for 2025 shortly. However, the final decision on their future lineup has not yet been made, and they will continue evaluating their options.
Binotto, former team principal at Ferrari, recently took up the roles of COO and CTO at Audi. Among the long list of pending tasks at the Sauber F1 team, the Italian team boss has emphasized the need to announce their future driver lineup as soon as possible.
In April, Nico Hulkenberg was announced as a driver for the team next season, while discussions continue with potential candidates for the second seat. Mattia Binotto mentioned that the team is currently evaluating whether to choose an experienced driver or a young talent to help achieve their long-term goals.
"It's a couple of weeks I'm there, so it's early for me. But it's definitely something that we need to judge: are we going for experience or something else?" he was quoted by Autosport.com.
"This is a project which is looking to a long-term objective, so [the question is] what's the best for us from now to the final goal? Is it more having short-term experience and then moving to something different? We need to decide and today I think we are not in the position to answer."
The Italian team boss emphasized the need to announce Nico Hulkenberg's teammate shortly, as he needs to shift focus on making the team competitive.
"We will decide as soon as possible, no doubt, because we need to set up the team for next year and for the future," he said.
Current Sauber driver Valtteri Bottas is the favorite to secure a contract extension, while junior driver Theo Pourchaire is also in contention. McLaren junior Gabriel Bortoleto has recently entered the fray with his stunning F2 performances.
Nico Hulkenberg could be paired with a German teammate
Audi is potentially considering an all-German lineup for the future, and Mattia Binotto recently addressed rumors about four-time F1 world champion Sebastian Vettel joining the team.
In a recent interview with Sky Germany at the Italian GP, Binotto was asked about the rumors regarding Vettel, who retired after the 2022 season. Having worked with the fan-favorite German driver at Ferrari, Binotto said:
"Vettel?" Binotto asked. "I adore him, having worked with him in the past. Knowing him, you appreciate his greatness as a person even before as a driver."
Mick Schumacher could also complete the all-German lineup for the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer. Binotto confirmed that Schumacher is on their list of potential candidates to join Nico Hulkenberg at Sauber.
Binotto also said that they will announce Hulkenberg's teammate for 2025 before the end of September.