Nico Hülkenberg himself is only racing for Haas for this season, but believes that the US team will continue to move forward in the coming years
Nico Hülkenberg believes that Haas’ investment offensive will help the team in Formula 1 to become a “serious contender” in the future: “I think the team is now very well positioned.”
The German will leave Haas at the end of this Formula 1 season after two years together to join Sauber – Audi’s works team from 2026. He worked under former Haas team principal Günther Steiner for one season and under the new management of former technical director Ayao Komatsu for another year.
In 2024, the team is in a much better position in the constructors’ championship, as the new vehicle package no longer puts too much strain on the tires in the race.
So far, Hülkenberg has been able to convert his consistently strong qualifying performance into six points finishes, with his teammate Kevin Magnussen and his one-time replacement Oliver Bearman also scoring championship points.
Haas is planning a major investment
The team is currently just three points behind Racing Bulls in a tight battle for the lucrative sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship.
Team owner Gene Haas has already agreed to launch a recruitment drive to increase the size of the team by 10 percent from 300 people. A significant investment in the team’s facilities in Banbury, UK, is also planned.
In an interview with Motorsport.com, Hülkenberg paints a correspondingly positive picture of the future of the US racing team.
“I think it’s a functioning organization, and I think we’ve proved that to some extent this year, with the changes that have taken place over the winter,” says the outgoing Haas driver.
Hülkenberg sure: Haas will improve in 2025
“Of course, it always depends on many other factors,” says the German. “Commercially – what partners do they have, what is the budget, what resources are available? That is, of course, a key element in this question.”
“I don’t know how things will pan out here in the future. But I hear that there are some exciting developments in the pipeline for the team that I think will only benefit them. So I believe that Haas will be a serious contender in the years to come.”
Next year in particular, if the rules remain stable, Hülkenberg expects to take another step forward. “2026 is then uncharted territory for everyone, but that’s what makes it so exciting. That’s what makes it so interesting for everyone who might be able to outperform and stand out.”