Nico Hulkenberg is a Le Mans 24 Hours winner and one of the most experienced drivers on the Formula 1 grid. The German veteran was chosen by Audi to lead their works entry into F1, a testament to his reputation as a reliable, technically astute driver capable of guiding a new manufacturer through its formative seasons.
For 2026, Hulkenberg’s role at Audi is as much about development leadership as race results. He brings over a decade of F1 experience and an engineering mindset that will be essential as Audi builds their programme from the foundations of the former Sauber team. His partnership with rookie Gabriel Bortoleto gives him clear seniority within the garage.
Hulkenberg holds the unfortunate record of most F1 starts without a podium finish, but his consistent points finishes and qualifying performances prove his underlying pace. A competitive Audi could finally give him the machinery to break that duck.
German fans watching from CET have an ideal schedule for the European season, with most races starting at 14:00 or 15:00 local time. The Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring in late June is the nearest geographically, offering a short trip for those wanting to see Audi’s first works F1 car in action.