Audi is in talks with four race winners for a seat in 2025
- Cas van de Kleut
Stake F1 Team, which will become Audi from 2026, is still looking for a driver to drive alongside Nico Hulkenberg. The team wants to have all the drivers next season who will drive for the German team upon its transition. Stake F1 Team's team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi told Motorsport.com that they are in talks with four race winners for a contract with the team.
Hulkenberg has already been announced at Stake for next season. The German has signed until 2026, which means he will also experience at least the first season with Audi.
The second driver has not yet been announced. For a long time there were rumours that Carlos Sainz would be on his way to the future German racing stable, but now the Spaniard seems to be closer to a switch to Williams. The three-time race winner also seems to still be in talks with Alpine.
Audi in talks with four race winners
Sainz, however, is still on the list. Alunni Bravi says: "There are in the Formula 1 market four Formula 1 race winners and we are discussing with all of them. One of the main characteristics we want is a long-term commitment with the Audi project." The Stake F1 Team representative is talking about Sainz, Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, as well as Valtteri Bottas, who is already under contract with Stake F1 Team.
This article was written in collaboration with Sophia Crothall.