Nico Hulkenberg has dismissed rumours of an exit from Audi with a clear statement about his future in Formula 1 beyond 2027 – The German driver has emphatically dismissed speculation that he could lose his Audi Formula 1 seat to Carlos Sainz after the 2026 season, insisting that there are “no question marks” over his future.
Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, the German driver confirmed that Audi is fully committed to its current line-up as the manufacturer continues to develop its long-term Formula 1 project.
Rumours surrounding Sainz have intensified during Formula 1’s annual driver market speculation, with reports suggesting that the Williams driver could become an Audi target should he decide to leave his current team. This has naturally led to suggestions that Hulkenberg could be vulnerable, despite only joining Audi’s factory programme this season.
Hulkenberg insists Audi is fully committed to current line-up
The experienced German was quick to dismiss these rumours when questioned by reporters in Belgium.
“I know the team is very happy with Gabi and me. We’re just getting started. This is our first year as a team,” he said.
His comments emphasise Audi’s focus on continuity as it establishes itself as a Formula 1 team. The team has repeatedly emphasised that creating a competitive project will take time, so driver stability is a vital part of its long-term strategy.
A multi-year contract leaves little room for speculation
Hulkenberg also pointed to the contract he signed with Audi, describing the agreement as straightforward.
“The contracts are very clear,” he explained.
While Audi has never disclosed the precise length of the deal, the company confirmed at the time that Hulkenberg had agreed to a multi-year contract. His latest remarks strongly suggest that the agreement will extend at least until the end of the 2027 Formula 1 season.
This effectively rules out the suggestion that he could be replaced after just one year with the manufacturer.
Rumours linking Carlos Sainz with Audi brushed aside
When asked directly about the speculation linking Sainz with Audi, Hulkenberg responded with humour.
He described them as ‘typical summer hype in Formula 1’ before joking, “I think the reserve driver seat is open, but I doubt he’d be interested.”
The 38-year-old added that there were “no question marks” surrounding his own position within the team.
Sainz continues to be linked with several teams as the Formula 1 driver market develops. However, there has been no official indication from Audi that it intends to change its current pairing of Hulkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto.
Audi still chasing consistent results in its debut campaign
Audi’s first season as a full factory entrant has produced mixed results.
Both Hulkenberg and Bortoleto have shown flashes of pace, with the Brazilian rookie recording two top-10 finishes. However, the team has struggled to consistently compete in the midfield.
Reliability has also proven costly. Hulkenberg has already retired four times this season, limiting his opportunities to score points despite several competitive performances.
While Audi still faces significant development challenges, Hulkenberg’s recent remarks imply that the manufacturer has no plans to alter its driver line-up as it lays the groundwork for future success.
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