Nico Hulkenberg notes why Sauber/Audi hasn’t taken the step to get their F1 drivers on the simulator to drive the 2026 car, as he stresses about focus on 2025.
A lot of the drivers have had at least one simulator session trying out the 2026 F1 machinery. With not a lot of time left, the focus will slowly shift towards larger chunk of programme looking at next year. For now, Sauber/Audi hasn’t pushed its drivers to try out the new car.
As per Hulkenberg, they don’t want to give a false reference to its drivers. They are taking their time to fine tune it and make it as close as to how the car will be, before getting their drivers to test them. The German isn’t too fussed about it either, with focus on 2025 still.
“It’s still at the moment all evolving quite a lot and quickly,” said Hulkenberg to media. “So they don’t want to give a false impression and false reference. That’s why I think we’re still holding back a little bit at the moment. To be honest, I don’t care what others have said. Eventually you drive the simulator, and you get what you get.
“You’ll have obviously certain views and feelings then about it. It’s certainly going to be different, that’s to be expected. But then, come next year when we hit the track in real life, it’s all quite new. So it’s just about exploring, learning and adapting quickly then to these new regulations,” summed up Hulkenberg, who reiterated about current focus being the remaining eight races in 2025.
Due to its recent performance surge, Sauber is now eighth in the constructors’ standings with 55 points. They are chasing Williams for fifth, who are 31 ahead. But Aston Martin (P6) is only seven ahead, while Visa Cash App RB (P7) is just six ahead of the Anglo-Swiss F1 outfit.
It is still all to play for. “If I don’t do the eight races, it won’t end well for this year, I think,” said Hulkenberg. “I am very much invested and involved in this year. It is a close situation there between five other teams and us and I feel it is quite open and all to play for.
“You can see how one weekend can swing things around for one or the other teams. Obviously, in the background for the next year everything is cooking, everything is being worked on and pushed for really hard. This year also is very important, so still very focused on it now,” summed up Hulkenberg.
Here’s Sauber pair on Italian GP
