Nico Hulkenberg breaks silence on Carlos Sainz rejecting $82 billion carmaker’s offer for Williams
Haas F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg is not surprised by Carlos Sainz's decision to join Williams and not Audi after leaving Ferrari.
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Nico Hulkenberg Carlos Sainz (images via IMAGO)
Carlos Sainz joined Williams to continue his Formula 1 career after being replaced by Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025. After being without a seat until the summer break, Sainz announced he would race for Williams, rejecting Audi’s offer, which is set to debut in 2026.
Nico Hulkenberg signed with Sauber for 2025, who will be taken over by Audi a year later. He stated he was not surprised by Carlos Sainz‘s refusal to join him. The Spaniard’s father, Carlos Sainz Sr., has strong ties with Audi from his successful rallying career with the German brand.
However, Sainz Jr. chose not to race for them despite a good offer. He saw more potential in joining Williams and believed he could make a greater impact there. Former teammate Nico Hulkenberg noted that he wasn’t surprised by Sainz’s decision.
Hulkenberg observed that Sainz Jr. had been hesitating and took a long time to think about the offer. This made it clear to him that the 30-year-old wouldn’t join Audi and would not continue their partnership from their days at Renault.
Not surprised. I mean, obviously he was hesitating and thinking about it for a long time. So, obviously I haven’t spent much time thinking about his decision. It is what it is now and the rest we’ll see.
Nico Hulkenberg told Motorsportweek.com
Speculation about Audi’s 2026 driver lineup includes potential candidates to partner Nico Hulkenberg. Mick Schumacher was initially considered. However, Audi’s Chief Operating Officer, Mattia Binotto, ruled him out. Valtteri Bottas has emerged as the frontrunner for the seat. Gabriel Bortoleto and Franco Colapinto are also in contention.
Ex-F1 driver Jacques Villeneuve believes Carlos Sainz made a smart move to sign with Williams
Carlos Sainz has gained valuable experience driving for multiple teams in F1. His time at Ferrari was significant, allowing him to learn a lot about the sport. When looking for his next opportunity, he wanted to join a promising team.
Sauber, set to become Audi and currently at the bottom of the Constructors’ standings, didn’t seem like a good fit for him. This saw him make the strategic decision to join Williams.
Former Williams driver Jacques Villeneuve praised Sainz’s intelligence in choosing his next destination. He recognized that the Spaniard knows how to collaborate effectively with a team because of his diverse experience.
Carlos is fast, he has a lot of experience and he knows how to work with a team, He is intelligent.
Jacques Villeneuve told Marca
Carlos Sainz’s time at Ferrari is winding down, with just six races left this season. He has played a vital role in the team’s success, consistently delivering strong performance. Fans are emotional about his departure from Maranello and are cherishing his contributions while wishing him the best in future endeavors.
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Gaurang Kadam
(535 Articles Published)