Alex Palou emerges as a very hot contender for Audi Formula 1 seat in 2025. As Audi prepare for their official entry into Formula One in 2026, speculation is mounting as to who will join Nico Hulkenberg on the grid. With Sauber’s 2025 line-up yet to be confirmed, the German manufacturer is exploring a number of options, with some unexpected names being floated as potential candidates.
Among them is two-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou, whose name has recently emerged as a wildcard contender for one of the most coveted seats in motorsport.
Hulkenberg returns to Sauber: Audi’s first driver signing
Back in April, Audi took its first significant step towards its full Formula One entry by signing Nico Hulkenberg as its first driver. Hulkenberg will rejoin Sauber for the 2025 season, ahead of the team’s transformation into Audi’s works F1 outfit. This is a significant step in Audi’s ambitious plan to take full control of Sauber and develop its own F1 engine in preparation for the new regulations in 2026.
Hulkenberg’s return to Sauber is not only a homecoming but also a significant career milestone. He last drove for Sauber in 2013, finishing 10th in the Drivers’ Championship that year. The signing is part of a “multi-year contract” that will see Hulkenberg “closely involved” in the development of Audi’s first Formula One car, a project that represents a bold new chapter for both driver and team.
Former Sauber boss Andreas Seidl, who has since made way for Mattia Binotto, had previously attempted to sign Hulkenberg for the 2024 season. However, his existing contract with Haas proved to be an obstacle. Haas eventually announced in April 2024 that Hulkenberg would be leaving the team at the end of the season, paving the way for his Audi deal to be confirmed shortly afterwards.
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The road back to a works team
Nico Hulkenberg’s return to a works team marks a significant turnaround in his career. After being dropped by Renault at the end of 2019, Hulkenberg spent three seasons without a full-time F1 seat, only making sporadic appearances as a substitute driver for Racing Point/Aston Martin. However, his impressive performances during those substitute stints kept his name in the mix, eventually leading to an unexpected return to the grid with Haas in 2023.
Since returning to F1, Hulkenberg has consistently shown that he has lost none of the speed and racing ability that made him such a formidable competitor in the past. His strong qualifying performances and solid race results in a more competitive Haas car in 2024 underlined his enduring talent. However, despite Haas’ improvements, the team’s resources could never match what Audi could offer Hulkenberg in the long term, making his move to Audi seem almost inevitable.
When Hulkenberg left the paddock after the 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he probably thought his full-time F1 career might be over. The idea that he would be one of the most sought-after drivers for the 2025 season, ultimately securing a seat with a works team, would have seemed like a distant dream. Yet that’s exactly the position he finds himself in today – a testament to his resilience and skill.
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Audi’s driver dilemma: Who will partner Hulkenberg?
With Hulkenberg secured, Audi’s focus now shifts to finding a suitable team-mate for him. The question of who will fill the second seat remains open, with several intriguing options on the table. Valtteri Bottas, who has consistently outperformed his Sauber team-mate Zhou Guanyu, is one possibility. Despite rumours of his departure, Bottas’ vast experience could make him a safe choice to complement Hulkenberg.
However, new team principal Mattia Binotto may be looking to inject some fresh energy into the team. A more daring choice could be Mick Schumacher, currently a reserve driver for Mercedes, who has been linked with a possible move to Audi. Another option is Liam Lawson, who could become available if he leaves Red Bull.
Palou’s IndyCar success puts him on Audi’s radar
In a surprising development, Alex Palou has emerged as a potential contender for the vacant Sauber seat. A report in *Auto Motor und Sport* highlights Palou as a “bold” but potentially rewarding choice to partner Hulkenberg. Palou, who currently drives for Chip Ganassi Racing in the IndyCar Series, has already secured two championship titles for 2021 and 2023 and is on course to win a third.
With 12 of the 18 races of the current IndyCar season completed, Palou leads his nearest rival, Will Power, by 49 points. His dominance in the series has not gone unnoticed, with many in the motorsport community wondering why a Formula One team has not already taken a chance on him.
Palou’s foray into endurance racing also adds to his appeal. His performance at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, where he drove for Cadillac in the hypercar category, was impressive. Although the team finished 14th, Palou stood out as “the best in the team” according to some observers, further demonstrating his versatility and skill.
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Who is Alex Palou? The rise of a potential F1 star
Born in Spain, 27-year-old Palou’s journey to the pinnacle of motorsport has been unconventional. After competing in the GP3 series – a traditional stepping stone to F1 – in 2015 and 2016, Palou’s results were modest, with just one win and two podiums. This lack of standout performances meant he never secured a full-time seat in Formula 2, the final proving ground before F1.
However, Palou’s career took a significant turn when he moved to the Japanese Super Formula series in 2019, where he finished an impressive third. This performance paved the way for his move to IndyCar in 2020, a move that has since been vindicated by his multiple championships.
Palou’s growing reputation eventually led to a reserve role with McLaren, where he had the opportunity to drive F1 machinery. Most notably, he took part in the first practice session for the 2022 United States Grand Prix, where he set the 17th fastest time. While his performance was a few seconds off the pace of McLaren’s full-time driver Lando Norris, it was a respectable showing for a driver with limited F1 experience.
A gamble worth taking?
Should Audi decide to take a chance on Palou, it would undoubtedly be a controversial move. Some in the F1 paddock may see the decision as risky, given Palou’s lack of direct F1 experience. Others, however, argue that it is exactly the kind of bold decision that Audi needs to rejuvenate a team that has struggled in recent years.
Bringing in a driver with Palou’s proven racing ability and adaptability could provide the spark that Sauber – and ultimately Audi – need to move up the grid. It would also send a clear message that Audi is willing to think outside the box and challenge the established norms of Formula One. Whether or not Palou ultimately gets the seat, his inclusion in the conversation is testament to his growing reputation as one of the most exciting talents in motorsport today.
As Audi continues to weigh up its options, the motorsport world will be watching closely to see who is chosen to spearhead the German giant’s assault on Formula One. Whether it’s a seasoned veteran like Bottas, a promising young talent like Schumacher or an outsider like Palou, the decision will shape the future of the team as it prepares for its much-anticipated debut in 2026.
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I doubt, but never say never as stranger things have happened in F1.
However, I’m still positive Bottas gets to continue with them.