Nico Hulkenberg is anticipating a “building year” for Kick Sauber in 2025, with the German acknowledging that there is a “long road ahead” for the squad as they look to take steps forward following a tough campaign last year.
After two seasons racing for Haas following his comeback to the sport, Hulkenberg is now beginning his next chapter with Sauber, a team that he previously raced for back in 2013.
WATCH: Kick Sauber get things going at F1 75 Live with striking livery reveal
Speaking at the F1 75 Live season launch event in London, Hulkenberg said of his return to the squad: “There have been quite a few familiar faces, especially in the factory. I think the race team has changed quite a bit.
“But yeah, it revives old memories from 2013. I think the atmosphere is pretty positive, pretty upbeat, keen and eager, ready to go. Obviously [the team] had a challenging season last year, but they’re very motivated to turn things around and to write a different story this year.”
Hulkenberg joined new team mate Gabriel Bortoleto and boss Mattia Binotto to unveil Kick Sauber’s new livery at F1 75 Live
The campaign ahead will mark the final year before the squad becomes Audi’s works outfit in 2026, and Hulkenberg gave an insight into what the aims are for Kick Sauber in 2025 with that long-term view in mind.
“In some ways it’s a building year,” the 37-year-old said. “Our target is to be competitive and to obviously score as many points as possible. You always have to remember where we came from last year – it’s a difficult kind of starting point.
TECH ANALYSIS: How Sauber combined evolution and revolution with their C45 challenger
“The team and us, we’ve been pushing over the winter but right now we can obviously only speculate where we are, where everybody else is. For us the motto is head down, push hard, work hard and maximise everything on and off track. [We’ll] go for the opportunities when they come.
“It’s obviously a long road ahead, with the process started now, and behind the scenes many things are already ongoing with respect to next year, which is a big thing and exciting, especially for myself, being German with a German manufacturer and works team. A lot of things to look forward to, and [I] look forward to getting the season started soon.”
Hulkenberg first got behind the wheel for Kick Sauber during the 2024 post-season test in Abu Dhabi
While other experienced drivers have found themselves without a seat in recent times – including Hulkenberg’s former Haas team mate Kevin Magnussen – the German driver has remained on the grid.
When pushed on why this might have been the case, Hulkenberg spoke of how much he has enjoyed his return to F1 as he explained: “It’s about where you are with the team, how competitive are you, but ultimately at the end of the day it’s about bringing results, bringing value to the team.
“I think for me in 2023 and last year, [things] went very positive and successful. It kind of gave me this new opportunity, this new deal with Sauber and next year with Audi. I think that’s basically it.
“I’ve really had a good time, I’ve enjoyed myself, probably more than ever before in Formula 1, even more than in my first stint of my career in F1. Feel it, love it, live it!”
RACE TICKETS – AUSTRALIA
Don’t miss your chance to be at the first Grand Prix of 2025 and experience the season-opener in Melbourne…