Audi says young drivers performing at a high level as rookies is marking “a general shift in Formula 1” that persuaded it to back Gabriel Bortoleto for a race seat with its F1 partner, Sauber. Bortoleto has been announced as Nico Hulkenberg’s …
Audi says young drivers performing at a high level as rookies is marking “a general shift in Formula 1” that persuaded it to back Gabriel Bortoleto for a race seat with its F1 partner, Sauber.
Bortoleto has been announced as Nico Hulkenberg’s teammate at Sauber in 2025, for the final season before it completes its transition into the Audi works team. The 20-year-old won last season’s Formula 3 championship and is leading the F2 standings this year, in which fellow F2 drivers Oliver Bearman and Franco Colapinto have shown strongly on their F1 debuts. Audi CEO Gernot Dollner pointed to their example in explaining his company’s backing of the new generation.
“Led by Mattia [Binotto , chief technical officer], Audi’s Formula 1 project is making great progress in many areas,” Dollner said. “The signing of the second driver is another milestone. We are currently witnessing a generational shift in Formula 1, with young drivers immediately making an impact. By signing Gabriel Bortoleto, we have secured one of these top talents. His signing underscores Audi’s long-term strategy and commitment to Formula 1.”
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1388]
The choice of Bortoleto means current drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu will both leave the team at the end of the season, and Sauber COO and Binotto thanked both for their commitment over the past three years.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to Valtteri for the past three years together,” Binotto said. “He has been the embodiment of professionalism, using his vast experience to support the team’s growth. Valtteri’s dedication and approach have been invaluable during a pivotal time in our history, and the memories of these years will stay with us for a long time.
“In considering our driver line-up for the coming seasons, Valtteri was unquestionably a key candidate. With his fighting spirit, he frequently pushed the car beyond its performance limits. However, a decision had to be made. After open and constructive discussions, we mutually concluded that final conditions could not be met so we agreed that it is time to part ways. Valtteri will always have an open door here in Hinwil.
“The last three years have seen our team grow significantly on and off the track, and both Valtteri and Zhou have played a big role in this progression. At this time, however, following our discussion with Zhou, we have decided that our future lies in different places.
“We are grateful to Zhou for the last three years, for the commitment and the hunger he has shown from the first moment he drove for us to today. Scoring points on debut and helping the team to P6 in 2022 was a statement of intent, but so was his contribution off track and at the factory.
“We want to celebrate our journey together with three strong races to finish this season, and both the team and Zhou are committed to giving everything in Las Vegas, Doha and Abu Dhabi together.”
Mattias Ekström and Audi have parted ways after 23 years, bringing an end to one of motorsport’s longest driver-manufacturer relationships. The Swede announced the news in an emotional video on Instagram earlier today, while Audi Sport held a …
Mattias Ekström and Audi have parted ways after 23 years, bringing an end to one of motorsport’s longest driver-manufacturer relationships. The Swede announced the news in an emotional video on Instagram earlier today, while Audi Sport held a special farewell event at its Ingolstadt factory.
Ekström (pictured at left, above, after winning the 2011 Spa 24 Hours with Audi) became a factory driver with Audi in 2001 two years after winning the Swedish Touring Car Championship in a privately entered Audi A4 Quattro. He went on to win two DTM titles and the 2016 World Rallycross championship with the brand.
“Driving for Audi Sport was like a childhood dream coming true,” said Ekström. “Looking back on more than two decades with the four rings brings back many memories. I had the chance to fulfill my dreams as a kid, like racing in the DTM, winning races and titles, and developing race cars.
“Winning the DTM title in 2004 is something I will cherish forever. But it was more than just motorsport. I had the chance to meet so many interesting and talented people and attended many great events.
“Being involved with the same company for so long is quite rare in motorsport, and I am very grateful for this period of my life. I can only say thank you to everyone at Audi.”
In a near-two decade spell in DTM, Ekström made 217 starts, winning 25 times and taking 83 podiums, 20 poles, and 17 fastest laps. His first championship success came in 2004, with his second following in 2007. But while Ekström’s DTM successes will be the standout memories for many of his time with Audi, the partnership has also enabled him to showcase his versatility.
Ekström leads the way for Audi during the 2016 FIA World RX Rallycross Championship. Colin McMaster/EKS/McKlein
He left DTM after a one-off appearance in the 2017 season opener to focus on World RX, which he’d won in 2016, ending Petter Solberg’s dominance in the-then three-year-old series. Additionally, he finished runner-up a further three times, in 2017 and ’18, and 2020, when he returned after a year out of the category.
Ekström also helped Audi’s customer racing division to its first overall 24-hour race win with the R8 GT3 at the 2011 24 Hours of Spa alongside Timo Scheider and Greg Franchi. He has been part of Audi’s Dakar rally lineup for the last three years, too, winning four stages of the famed rally raid in that time, as well as spending a full day in the lead of the 2024 edition of the event.
And in 2021, he represented sister Volkswagen Group brand Cupra in Extreme E and ETCR, claiming a first podium for the brand in the off-road series, and the overall championship crown in the short-lived electric touring car series.
Ekström has been at the center of a number of Audi’s off-road efforts, including its works Dakar RS Q e-tron program. Julien Delfosse/DPPI
“We owe Mattias an immense amount, and in turn we have helped him to the greatest successes of his career,” said Audi Sport managing director Rolf Michl. “To this day, I am impressed not only by his continuous performance but also by his excellent team spirit.
“Mattias has never concentrated solely on racing. He has always helped to drive projects forward, support our developers and promote the teams he has worked with.
“With these qualities and his series of successes, he is a great role model for many international talents in motorsport. We wish him all the best for his future career.”
News of Ekström’s next steps are expected to be made public soon. He remains a part of McLaren’s Extreme E lineup, although that series remains on an indefinite hiatus following the cancellation of the final three events of the 2024 season.
It was not even 24 hours after the Belgian Grand Prix had ended, when members of Formula 1 teams were preparing to take a few weeks off during August, that Carlos Sainz finally announced his next move. Sainz had been described as the cork in the …
It was not even 24 hours after the Belgian Grand Prix had ended, when members of Formula 1 teams were preparing to take a few weeks off during August, that Carlos Sainz finally announced his next move.
Sainz had been described as the cork in the bottle by Kevin Magnussen – on the record, and in sometimes more colorful language by multiple other drivers off it – when it came to the driver market, with so many teams showing interest and making offers to the Spaniard.
Realistically Sainz’s options came down to a choice between Williams, Alpine and Stake/Sauber/Audi, and while Sainz’s decision has brought clarity for the first of that trio’s situation, the other two still have vacancies that need filling.
Further clarity may be imminent as the paddock reconvenes in Zandvoort this weekend, but there’s also a chance there’s going to be less of a rush as neither team appears to have been able to secure their first choice.
If we start with the more competitive of the two at the moment, Alpine might finally be about to promote one of its junior drivers into a race seat – and fair play to the team for putting itself in that position given its ongoing off-track instability and where it started this season.
It’s always tough to compare drivers, but the success of Oscar Piastri after a year in the reserve role at Enstone shows that Alpine can prepare young talent even if it hasn’t always then handled their contracts effectively, and Jack Doohan has been following in his fellow Australian’s footsteps over the past two years.
This year is far more similar to Piastri’s final year with Alpine, as Doohan isn’t racing but solely focused on the reserve and development role, and he has made a strong case for a chance in F1 with testing outings on top of some of his previous F2 performances.
But he’s not alone on that list, with Valtteri Bottas still on the market and serving as an experienced option should Alpine want to head that way. So is his current teammate Zhou Guanyu, a former Renault junior who never got a shot in a race seat with the team. The latter could bring backing as well as some experience now, but would also be a slightly harsh call over Doohan.
Mick Schumacher has ties through Alpine’s hypercar program and will also be a consideration, and Kevin Magnussen is also a free agent if the team wants more experience and doesn’t get Bottas.
Bottas and Magnussen are both experienced options. Andy Hone/Motorsport Images
The future Audi project has been a bit of a mess over the past 18 months, and it has shown through the managerial changes that have taken place recently, alongside the fact it couldn’t convince Sainz to join.
But the hirings of Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley are strong ones, and all of the drivers above will hold some interest in being part of the transition next year. Sebastian Vettel’s name has also been linked with a return to F1 with Audi, although Helmut Marko clarified he was one of multiple options he mentioned as attractive German drivers that could partner Nico Hulkenberg.
Such is the lack of clear expectations over where the team goes next after missing out on Sainz, however, that even the name of Formula 2 title contender Gabriel Bortoleto has cropped up in passing. The Brazilian impressed in his rookie year, but is part of the McLaren young driver setup.
The lack of firm interest from Mercedes in Sainz was somewhat surprising to Williams team principal James Vowles, but it also served to somewhat keep Toto Wolff’s team out of the limelight when it comes to its driver situation. In any other year, there would be incessant focus on the vacancy at Mercedes, with the team needing to replace the most successful driver in F1 history when Lewis Hamilton heads for Ferrari.
That’s not to say there hasn’t been attention on Mercedes, but certainly less than you might have expected for that seat given the way the driver market has been playing out, and with the growing feeling that it will be Andrea Kimi Antonelli making the step up as a rookie.
Antonelli turns 18 at the end of this weekend, and that opens up the possibility of him making an FP1 appearance at his home race in Monza. He has tested for Mercedes already this year, but it would be another step on the path towards a full-time race seat if he were to get a Friday practice outing. If he does, take it as a sign of the continuing trend towards Antonelli partnering George Russell in 2025.
Lawson and Perez’s futures have been constant talking points. Andy Hone/Motorsport Images
And the other factor to keep in mind, despite comments at the start of the break, is the ongoing focus at Red Bull relating to Sergio Perez.
Marko promised a decision on reserve driver Liam Lawson next month – meaning in September – and he’s certainly a strong candidate for the as-yet-unconfirmed RB seat, but that doesn’t mean there couldn’t be movement elsewhere too.
The decision from Red Bull to stick by Perez and show faith in him heading into the break was sensible in the way that it meant there were no doubts or strong rumors during those few weeks. But that also doesn’t mean the team is guaranteeing him his spot indefinitely.
The focus will be on making sure the car helps Perez feel more confident behind the wheel, and Red Bull is taking on its share of the responsibility on that front. But if there is not an upturn in performances and results alongside that work, then Perez is not immune from replacement.
That could provide a lifeline to Daniel Ricciardo, who is currently staring at a departure from RB unless he produces some remarkable performances. He probably needs to be doing that anyway, but if Perez does regain the type of form that he had at the start of the season then there won’t be room for Ricciardo at Red Bull and Lawson could well be replacing him in 2025. And that’s without factoring in the job Isack Hadjar is doing in F2, where he leads the championship.
Decisions and announcements could come at any time, but what it all adds up to is at least the potential for a quiet spell, because Mercedes and RB look extremely likely to promote from within their own ranks.
Alpine and Stake then have a large number of potential candidates to choose from. The ball is now more in their courts than Sainz’s, as was the case previously, so if they don’t make quick commitments there could still be a few twists and turns in the market yet.
Audi hopes the additions of Jonathan Wheatley and Mattia Binotto to its Formula 1 project will help the manufacturer “get a foothold quickly” when it enters the sport in 2026. Wheatley’s arrival as team principal of the project next year was …
Audi hopes the additions of Jonathan Wheatley and Mattia Binotto to its Formula 1 project will help the manufacturer “get a foothold quickly” when it enters the sport in 2026.
Wheatley’s arrival as team principal of the project next year was announced following a Red Bull statement about the sporting director’s departure. He’ll join Binotto at Audi where he will be chief technical officer and chief operations officer of the F1 team. Confirming Wheatley’s signing, Audi AG CEO Gernot Dollner says the focus has been on securing experienced team members who are fully aware of what it takes to be competitive.
“I am delighted that we have been able to gain Jonathan Wheatley as team principal for our future Formula 1 team,” Dollner said. “Jonathan has played a major part in many Formula 1 race victories and world championship titles in his Formula 1 career so far, and has extensive experience in the paddock. He is a very valuable addition to our team.
“With the appointment of Jonathan and Mattia we have taken a decisive step towards our entry into Formula 1. I am convinced that with the two of them, we have been able to combine an extremely high level of competence for Audi. Their experience and their ability will help us to get a foothold quickly in the tough competitive world of Formula 1.”
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1388]
The Red Bull announcement earlier in the day appeared to catch Audi out, with no statement forthcoming for a number of hours and no comments from Wheatley at the time. As part of the acknowledgement from his new team, Wheatley says the opportunity to step up to a team principal role was too good to turn down.
Mattia Binotto (left) with Jonathan Wheatley in 2022. Mark Sutton/Motorsport Images
“I am extremely proud to have been a part of the Red Bull Racing journey over the last 18 years and will leave with many fond memories,” Wheatley said. “However, the opportunity to play an active part in Audi’s entry into Formula 1 as head of a factory team is a uniquely exciting prospect, and I am looking forward to the challenge.
“Also I am glad to be working together with Mattia, whom I have known for many years and who is the right person to collaborate with in this exciting project.”
While the pair have not worked alongside each other before, Binotto says he holds Wheatley in high regard due to his work at Red Bull.
“I have known Jonathan for many years and rate him highly as an experienced and committed motorsport expert,” Binotto added. “2026 is not a long time away now, and I’m looking forward to setting up the new racing team for Audi along with Jonathan and leading it to success.”
Red Bull Racing sporting director Jonathan Wheatley will leave the team at the end of this year to become the new team principal of the Audi Formula 1 project. Wheatley has been part of Red Bull for the past 18 years and is deemed a key figure in …
Red Bull Racing sporting director Jonathan Wheatley will leave the team at the end of this year to become the new team principal of the Audi Formula 1 project.
Wheatley has been part of Red Bull for the past 18 years and is deemed a key figure in the team’s management, having previously been team manager before becoming sporting director. With the opportunity to step up and become a team principal with the future Audi F1 project — the Sauber-run team currently racing as Stake — he will see out the rest of this season before moving in 2025.
“It has been a long and successful relationship with Jonathan, over 18 years,” Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said. “His contribution to six world constructors’ titles and seven world drivers’ championships, first as team manager and latterly sporting director, will forever be a marker in our team history.
“Jonathan will remain in his position until the end of the 2024 season, as the team seek to defend both our world drivers’ and world constructors’ titles successfully. A period of ‘gardening leave’ will follow in 2025.”
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1388]
Wheatley’s departure follows that of Adrian Newey later this year as well as senior figures Rob Marshall and Dan Fallows recently moving to McLaren and Aston Martin respectively, and Horner says there will be a new team organization put in place that will be publicly revealed soon.
“Everyone at Oracle Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Technology wish him all the best in his new role and would like to place our thanks to Jonathan. Red Bull Racing have tremendous strength and depth and this provides opportunity to elevate others within the team. We will announce a new team structure in the coming weeks.”
The arrival of Wheatley has yet to be officially announced by Audi, but will see him working under former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto who was recently unveiled as the new chief technical officer and chief operating officer of Sauber Motorsport AG.
Nico Hulkenberg acknowledged that the departure this week of Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann from the current Stake Sauber Formula 1 team – which the German veteran will join next season ahead of its transformation into Audi for 2026 – came as “a …
Nico Hulkenberg acknowledged that the departure this week of Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann from the current Stake Sauber Formula 1 team — which the German veteran will join next season ahead of its transformation into Audi for 2026 — came as “a bit of a shock.”
Audi announced the managerial changes on Tuesday, which include former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto joining at the start of August, and Seidl — who was CEO of Sauber Motorsport — along with Hoffman — chairman of the board of all Sauber Motorsport companies — both leaving. Hulkenberg admitted Seidl and Hoffman were a key part of his negotiations to join the Audi F1 project from next season when the team has its final year under the Stake name, but says their departures aren’t a cause for concern to him.
“No, not concerned,” Hulkenberg said. “That was obviously a bit of a wave, a bit of a shock. But now, obviously, it’s back to business. I still look forward to joining that project and to making it a successful story with or without the fact that two people that were closely involved in signing me are not there anymore.
“Of course, maybe it’s a bit sad, but I’m more interested about the project: joining Formula 1 with Audi and making it a successful story.”
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1388]
Hulkenberg said he was personally informed of the changes by Audi CEO Gernot Dollner, who will take over as chairman of the board at Sauber Motorsport moving forward.
“Well, of course, [Seidl and Hoffman] were influential — these were the two guys we did the deal with,” he said. “But I was informed, the day of the announcement, about the group’s decision by Gernot Dollner himself.
“It’s the group’s decision that they want to change moving forward. I think big projects like this, you have in the management people that are big pillars of such projects, but they never just rely on one or two people. And in Formula 1, everyone is kind of changeable.
“In terms of Mattia, I know him, obviously, from the past from the paddock, but I’ve never worked with him. But that will change in a few months.”
Valtteri Bottas said the change will result in a reset again for the Sauber-run team, and admitted it came out of the blue for those already involved at Hinwil.
“Quite sudden news,” Bottas said. “I believe everything happened pretty quickly, but obviously those high-level decisions, we as drivers and many of the team members don’t really know what’s going on behind the scenes. Quite unexpected, but obviously welcoming Mattia to the team and at the same time, I want to thank Mr. Seidl and Mr. Hoffman for their contributions.”
Former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto is back in Formula 1 as the head of the Audi F1 project, replacing Andreas Seidl. Binotto left Ferrari at the end of the 2022 season, when the team had initially fought Red Bull for both championships but …
Former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto is back in Formula 1 as the head of the Audi F1 project, replacing Andreas Seidl.
Binotto left Ferrari at the end of the 2022 season, when the team had initially fought Red Bull for both championships but faded as the year went on. The Italian had been at Ferrari since 1995 and risen to run the team, but after 18 months away he will start work with Audi at Hinwil on 1 August.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1388]
The addition of Binotto as chief operating officer and chief technical officer of Sauber Motorsport comes with the surprise departure of Seidl, who had been CEO of Sauber Motorsport, working largely behind the scenes to prepare for the Audi takeover of the team and F1 entry from 2026.
The current chairman of the board of all Sauber Motorsport companies Oliver Hoffmann is also leaving as part of the managerial shake-up, with Gernot Dollner, CEO of Audi AG, taking over Hoffman’s position.
“I am delighted that we have been able to recruit Mattia Binotto for our ambitious Formula 1 project,” Dollner says. “With his extensive experience of more than 25 years in Formula 1, he will undoubtedly be able to make a decisive contribution for Audi.
“Our aim is to bring the entire Formula 1 project up to F1 speed by means of clear management structures, defined responsibilities, reduced interfaces, and efficient decision-making processes. For this purpose, the team must be able to act independently and quickly.
“I would like to thank Oliver and Andreas for their important work in establishing our entry into Formula 1 and their commitment in preparing it.”
Binotto is charged with the “responsibility and accountability for the operative management and sporting success of the racing team” and will report to the Sauber board. Currently operating under the Stake name, Sauber will become Audi in 2026, and has one driver ‒ Nico Hulkenberg ‒ so far confirmed for the upcoming two seasons of the transition.
Seidl had only joined the Audi project at the same time as Binotto’s departure from Ferrari, as part of a wider set of moves within F1 team management that saw Fred Vasseur leave Sauber to replace Binotto at Maranello, and Andrea Stella promoted as McLaren allowed Seidl to leave his previous position of team principal early.
Matt Plumb was a master miser of fuel on the way to becoming the all-time co-leader for race wins in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. Plumb took over the No. 46 Team TGM Aston Martin Vantage GT4 from Paul Holton, who qualified the car on the front …
Matt Plumb was a master miser of fuel on the way to becoming the all-time co-leader for race wins in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.
Plumb took over the No. 46 Team TGM Aston Martin Vantage GT4 from Paul Holton, who qualified the car on the front row, and brilliantly managed the second half of The Esses 120 at Watkins Glen International on Saturday. Plumb was 5.549s ahead of the No. 95 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT4 shared by Robert Megennis and Dillon Machavern to claim overall and Grand Sport (GS) class honors at the end of two hours of racing on a sweltering afternoon in New York’s Finger Lakes region.
It was Plumb’s 24th win in Michelin Pilot Challenge competition, matching the total achieved by Billy Johnson, but Plumb’s first trip to victory lane since he and Holton won at Circuit of The Americas in May 2017. Plumb’s 52 career podium finishes are a series record.
“It’s been a while, but I’m incredibly lucky to be doing this and incredibly lucky to have a guy like (Team TGM principal) Ted Giovannis in my corner,” Plumb said. “Thanks to my buddy Paul – we’ve had a long history driving together. It’s great to get a win with this group. We’re just getting a bit of momentum going.”
Plumb, Holton and the No. 46 also became the fifth different GS winner in as many races this season.
“It’s incredibly hard to win in this series, and that was a perfect example of a full team win right there,” Plumb added. “Everybody on the box got all the strategy perfect, kept feeding us just the right information – what numbers we needed to do fuel-wise, the pace, the gap. Us two knuckleheads just did what we were told and didn’t mess it up.”
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1406]
Holton missed the season opener at Daytona International Speedway but has since helped Plumb build a healthy lead in the GS class standings. Plumb enjoys a 240-point cushion over Daniel Morad and Bryce Ward, who finished seventh Saturday in the No. 57 Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT GT4.
Holton expressed surprise that Team TGM called him in for a pit stop just 30 minutes into the race, as the first half of the contest was interrupted by a pair of full-course cautions.
“When they called me in early, I kind of questioned them on the radio and said, ‘Are you sure we want to do this?’” said Holton. “But it was the move of the race. Credit to the team and the crew because they gave us a fast car and they called a fantastic strategy, and then Matt was going fast and saving some gas.”
Todd Coleman and Aaron Telitz (No. 88 Archangel Motorsports Aston Martin Vantage GT4) claimed the final podium spot over Rory van der Steur and Valentin Hasse Clot in the No. 19 van der Steur Racing Aston Martin.
Jeff Westphal experienced heartbreak, as the No. 39 CarBahn Motorsports BMW M4 GT4 he shared with Sean McAlister ran out of fuel while running second on the last lap. The duo had worked from last place to briefly lead the race after missing the second practice session and qualifying due to electrical problems.
The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge returns to action with the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park 120 in Bowmanville, Ontario, on Saturday, July 13.
Jake Galstad/Lumen
Taylor, Miller, No. 17 Audi collect fourth win of season
Mikey Taylor enjoyed a bird’s eye view of the tussle for the lead of the Touring Car (TCR) class between Robert Wickens’ No. 33 Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb Agajanian Hyundai Elantra N TCR and Jon Morley’s No. 61 Road Shagger Racing Audi RS3 LMS TCR in the closing stages of Saturday’s race. But Taylor was positively delighted by the view in the rearview mirror of the No. 17 Unitronic/JDC-Miller Motorsports Audi the following lap, having taken the lead with a clean pass into the Inner Loop at Watkins Glen after Wickens firmly rebuffed Morley’s bold overtaking effort at the same point the previous lap.
“That was a tough move,” Taylor said of Morley’s unsuccessful passing attempt. “But as competitive as TCR is these days, when you have a sniff at an overtake you’ve got to go for it. I thought they were both going to go around and retire, but the Hyundai is pretty robust. That’s TCR for you: it’s tight, close and fun racing.”
Once out front, Taylor gradually edged away from Wickens to take the TCR win by 2.054s, even as the race ended in disappointment for Morley when the Road Shagger Audi ran short of fuel two corners from the finish line. Morley’s misfortune enabled Denis Dupont to grab the final spot in the No. 76 BHA Hyundai he shared with Preston Brown.
“We used what we had,” said Taylor. “We didn’t have much front end (tires) left and we didn’t have much fuel left. But (co-driver) Chris (Miller) did a great first stint to bring it to me, and the guys on the box – I can’t say enough – they did a great job on the strategy. At the end, it wasn’t about raw pace, it was about consistency and that’s what the Unitronic/JDC-Miller Audi is: It’s consistent.”
Taylor and Miller are becoming quite accustomed to seeing the TCR field in their mirrors. This was their fourth win in five Michelin Pilot Challenge races so far this year and represents a rebound from the race at Mid-Ohio two weeks ago that saw the No. 17 Audi finish third.
“They’re all difficult,” Miller said, “This is just one step closer to our goal. I’m just super proud of the team. The guys have been doing an amazing job and, honestly, it’s due to them that we’re on this run. Mikey and I are just trying to bring the car home in one piece. They’re calling great strategy, doing great pit stops and we’re picking ‘em up and putting them down.”
The result boosted the No. 17 Unitronic/JDC-Motorsports Audi to a commanding 220-point lead over the No. 76 BHA Hyundai as the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge competitors head north to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in three weeks.
Nico Hulkenberg will join the Audi Formula 1 project by moving to Stake in 2025 on a multi-year deal, bringing an end to his time racing for Haas. Haas signed Hulkenberg ahead of the 2023 season after he had been out of a full-time Formula 1 seat …
Nico Hulkenberg will join the Audi Formula 1 project by moving to Stake in 2025 on a multi-year deal, bringing an end to his time racing for Haas.
Haas signed Hulkenberg ahead of the 2023 season after he had been out of a full-time Formula 1 seat for three years, and the German duly delivered impressive performances, particularly in qualifying. This year his strong form has continued, with three point-scoring results in the first five races, making him a key target for Audi when it becomes a full constructor from 2026 onwards.
“I’m returning to the team I worked with back in 2013 and have fond memories of the strong team spirit in Switzerland,” Hulkenberg said. “The prospect of competing for Audi is something very special. When a German manufacturer enters Formula 1 with such determination, it is a unique opportunity. To represent the factory team of such a car brand with a power unit made in Germany is a great honor for me.”
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1388]
With Hulkenberg becoming the first confirmed driver for Audi when it enters in 2026, future Audi F1 CEO Andreas Seidl — currently CEO of Sauber Motorsport AG — says his experience will be vital to the team’s development.
“We are very pleased to welcome Nico back here in Hinwil from 2025 and to compete with him in Formula 1,” Seidl said. “With his speed, his experience and his commitment to teamwork, he will be an important part of the transformation of our team — and of Audi’s F1 project.
“Right from the start, there was great mutual interest in building something long-term together. Nico is a strong personality and his input, on a professional and personal level, will help us to make progress both in the development of the car and in building up the team.”
In addition to Hulkenberg’s returning to the team over a decade on from a year racing for Sauber in 2013, the agreement also marks a reunion for him with Seidl, who was the Porsche team principal in the World Endurance Championship when Hulkenberg won at Le Mans for the team in 2015.
The news also confirms the departure of at least one of the current Stake lineup of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu at the end of this season. Carlos Sainz has been heavily linked with a move to join the Audi project following the end of his Ferrari contract this year.
Audi’s arrival in Formula 1 for 2026 is making Stake a serious player in the driver market this season despite on-track struggles, according to team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi. The Sauber-run team has yet to score a point in the opening …
Audi’s arrival in Formula 1 for 2026 is making Stake a serious player in the driver market this season despite on-track struggles, according to team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi.
The Sauber-run team has yet to score a point in the opening five races and has been hampered by pit stop issues that have caused a number of slow stops, frustrating drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. Despite the challenging results so far in 2024, the fact that Audi will take over the team and enter as a full constructor in less than two years is leading to a lot of interest from drivers, according to Alunni Bravi.
“First, let me say that there are a lot of speculations around our teams and comments,” Alunni Bravi said. “And, of course, I don’t want to comment on speculation… But there’s all the teams. There are 14 drivers without a contract fixed for next year. So, as all the teams, we are speaking with different drivers.
“It’s not the time for us to take any decision. It’s time to provide our drivers with a performing car. But let me say that we are happy that it seems that we can play a role — a different role in the drivers’ market for the future — thanks to Audi’s announcement and all the investment that will be done in order to improve our team
“So I think that is good news for our team. Finally we are attractive and we are not spectators, we are a player in the market.”
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1388]
During the Chinese Grand Prix weekend, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko claimed discussions with Carlos Sainz had left him feeling that Red Bull could not compete with an offer Audi had made to the Spaniard, but Alunni Bravi says all teams and drivers are likely to have multiple discussions ongoing.
“I think they are mere speculation, because, every driver, I think, is speaking with a lot of teams to understand the situation, to understand if there could be a common vision on the project, especially for a team like us that is in a full transformation process ahead of 2026. But we are focused on our drivers and we respect our drivers.
“We know that we need to deliver better performance as a team. And this is the first step to start deciding what will be the driver lineup for the future. First, we need to consolidate our performance. So far, we didn’t score points. So I think that the main target, and the priority for the team, is to start scoring points and then to approach the drivers’ market, starting with discussion with our drivers and then having, of course, open eyes on the market.
“It’s not appropriate to disclose what could be the discussion in place. No one really knows what other teams are offering to the drivers, or are discussing with the drivers, and sometimes we don’t want to be part of a game that is done by others … I think that the car performance now is our priority and there will be time to take the right decision for the future.”
