The 5+5 driver candidates for Audi F1 in 2026

Within these two years, Audi will have completed the purchase of the majority package of Sauber, the Swiss team that has competed in the sport in recent years under the name Alfa Romeo F1, and the next two will officially be called Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber. From 2026 it will be given the final name Audi F1.

During this two-year period, the German company will also complete the construction of its own hybrid engine at its newly built factory in Neuburg, Germany, as well as further expansion and staffing of the Sauber chassis factory in Heinville, Switzerland.

However, the team’s driver duo for 2026 remains a mystery, surrounded by a multitude of rumors. According to the information so far, there are five drivers who have the most chances of driving for the German-Swiss team and five others with fewer chances. The top 5 are as follows:

Nico Hulkenberg: The Hulk has long been in the spotlight as Audi’s first choice, due to its experience and perhaps its nationality. The German will be 39 years old at the start of 2026, but Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton have proven that age doesn’t matter that much.

Hulkenberg achieved some excellent results in qualifying tests with Haas this year – such as second place in the Canadian Rain and fourth place in the Austrian Sprint – despite a three-year absence from the sport after leaving Renault F1 at the end of 2019. His factory experience with Renault F1 and his previous stint at Sauber in 2013 make him an attractive option for Audi.

The German left open the possibility of a move to Audi in 2026 in a conversation with German magazine Auto Motor und Sport a few days ago. “Only time can tell. Let’s first see how the season will go next year. Will we have a competitive car?”, commented the 36-year-old. And around his age, he said that “Fernando and Lewis are good ambassadors that you can still be fast even at an advanced age.”

Liam Lawson: The young New Zealander has done an excellent job in the five races this year, replacing the injured Daniel Ricciardo at Alpha Tauri, who would probably be stupid of Audi not to approach him. Lawson, on the other hand, may be looking for another destination as Red Bull did not select him for an AT seat in 2024 and is sticking with Ricciardo. So Audi could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

Esteban Ocon

Ocon’s contract with Alpine expires at the end of 2024, and if the French company doesn’t show clear signs of investment and development in 2024 – after a season in which political unrest has leveled almost everything in the team – he may want his next one himself find step at Audi. The Frenchman is fast and has won a GP, but continues to show fluctuations in his performance. Is it an attractive option for Audi as it approaches its 30th year? Here too, time will tell.

Pierre Gasly: For the same reasons as Ocon, Alpine’s inability to show signs of progress, Pierre Gasly could also consider leaving Enstone. Towards the end of 2023, Gasly began to gain a relative upper hand over Ocon, even though the latter was in his fourth year with the team and Gasli in his first and looked more consistent in his performance. From this point of view, it could be a more attractive option for Audi. As for his sophistication in advertising and marketing, compared to the unremarkable Ocon. Gasly’s contract with the French team also expires at the end of 2024.

Alex Albon

This is probably one of Audi’s main goals. Albon has attracted interest from almost every team with his impressive performances this year and will undoubtedly play a leading role in the F1 transfer window next year. With these performances he restored the good reputation he lost with Verstappen at RBR in 2019/20, and perhaps these years cast doubt on whether the Anglo-Thai can lead a factory team.

However, Albon appears to deserve a better chance of an award than Williams is currently offering him and could be eyeing the top spot at Audi. Who would find one of the greatest talents of the relatively new generation in his prime as a player.

The five least likely drivers
Carlos Sainz: Sauber boss Andreas Seidl admitted earlier this year that Sainz would be a great driver for Audi. The Spaniard’s contract extension with Ferrari seemed certain, but the latest information suggests that the Scuderia is not offering him a multi-year contract as he would have liked. However, for now it seems like a big risk to leave Maranello and invest your future in Audi.

Sebastian Vettel: A case with few options. The German voluntarily retired from Formula 1 at the end of 2022, after four bad years at Ferrari and then at Aston Martin. If he is still interested in returning, he would be a good choice for Audi: he is a four-time world champion whose abilities are beyond doubt. Motivation is enough, and perhaps the 36-year-old already has it.

Valtteri Bottas: The Finn still puts in great performances from time to time, albeit in a rarely competitive car, but compared to his Mercedes days he appears to be in relative decline. Of course, Audi may need its experience and a driver who has continuity in the team to make the big transition to the new regulations of 2026, with at least one driver in the cockpit who knows his way around and who provides specific and known analysis data of his single-seater.

Guanyue Chow: The Chinese has proven he has the speed and has performed well on occasion, but it looks like the continuation of the partnership beyond 2024 will depend on whether Audi needs the big sponsors it brings with it whether it needs Chow to further develop into the large Chinese car market.

Mick Schumacher: Mick’s last name alone is a big asset for a German team that wants to enter Formula 1. Michael Schumacher’s son has chosen to race with Alpine in the WEC in 2024 rather than remain as a reserve driver in Formula 1 and Mercedes – and that may not help him return to the sport and be seen as an attractive and comprehensive option are for Audi.