Nico Hulkenberg admitted he was “shocked” to hear that Audi would make major personnel changes for the F1 project. Earlier this week, the German automaker announced the departure of Audi F1 CEO Andreas Seidl and main representative Oliver Hoffmann.

In another move, Audi confirmed that former Ferrari team director Mattia Binotto will lead the team, starting in early August.
Audi will enter the F1 circuit in 2026 by taking over the Sauber-owned racing team that currently operates as Stake F1 and has signed a multi-year contract with Hulkenberg.

While Hulkenberg isn’t worried about the future of the project amid this change, the 36-year-old admitted he was surprised by the announcement.

“No, I’m not worried, obviously it’s just a small shock, a big shock,” Hulkenberg shared with the media. “But now the company is back in business and I still look forward to being part of that project and turning it into a success story for Audi. “The fact that two people who were closely involved in signing me are no longer there, of course, maybe [that] is a bit sad. “But I’m more interested in this project, working with Audi in F1 and making it a success story.”

Seidl, Hoffmann ‘influential’ in Audi decision
Hulkenberg signed a contract with Audi a few months ago, with Seidl and Hoffmann playing a key role in attracting him to the project. “Of course, they have influence, these are the two people we made a deal with, that’s it,” Hulkenberg said. “It was an unexpected change. I was informed by Gernot Döllner [Audi Group CEO] on the day the group’s decision was announced.

“It was a group decision, that they wanted to change to move forward. I think big projects like this, you have managers who are big backbones of projects like this. “But you never rely on just one or two people. In F1, everyone can change.” Binotto’s joining will mark his first time joining an F1 team since leaving Ferrari at the end of the 2022 campaign. “About Mattia, I know him from before in the paddock, but I’ve never worked with him,” Hulkenberg added. “But that will change in a few months.”