(Motorsport-Total.com) – Will Nico Hülkenberg also drive for Audi in Formula 1 in 2027? Just before the 2026 Belgian Grand Prix in Spa-Francorchamps (follow all sessions here in the Formula 1 live ticker!), the German driver spoke concretely about it for the first time.
Read more Aston Martin explains viral clips of Lance Stroll from Silverstone
Hülkenberg said: “The contractual relationships are clear. From my side, there are certainly no question marks.” Therefore, he answered the direct question of whether he would compete for Audi again in 2027 with a clear “Yes”.
Everything else is the “typical summer slump talk in Formula 1”: rumors and speculation about cockpit line-ups for the coming year. However, part of this speculation is homegrown: teams often announce their drivers for “several years” without giving concrete dates. (Photo series: The contract duration of current Formula 1 drivers)
Hülkenberg was also signed for “several years” in 2024. He has already completed or partially completed two of them: the 2025 season for Sauber and the current 2026 season for Audi. According to his statement, at least one more season with Audi in Formula 1 will follow in 2027. (Overview: Drivers and teams for 2027)
Read more Why Lando Norris receives a ten-place grid penalty in Belgium!
The contract durations of current Formula 1 drivers
He said he had heard nothing to the contrary: “I know that the team is very satisfied with Gabriel Bortoleto and me,” said Hülkenberg. Audi team boss Mattia Binotto recently answered a similar question almost word for word, but without explicitly confirming Hülkenberg and Bortoleto for 2027.
Nico Hülkenberg: Audi will still need time
Now Hülkenberg said: The Audi project is “still at the very beginning” and further building work is necessary. “2026 is our first year together as a team.” If anything, only the “reserve driver spot” is still free at Audi. Because the German factory team has not yet named an official reserve driver but has loaned Paul Aron for Friday runs from Alpine.
On the racetrack, Audi has so far scored points twice: Bortoleto finished in the top 10 in Melbourne and Silverstone respectively. Hülkenberg, on the other hand, is still waiting for his first Audi points in Formula 1. In the constructors’ standings, the team is in ninth place out of eleven teams before Belgium.
Read more Why Lando Norris receives a ten-place grid penalty in Belgium!