Haas Team Principal Ayao Komatsu believes Nico Hulkenberg boasts the capabilities to win Audi races in Formula 1 should the brand provide him with “the right car”.
Hulkenberg has elected to depart Haas once this season ends to move to Sauber as it prepares to evolve into a works Audi team once new regulations arrive in 2026.
The German has penned a multi-term contract with Sauber/Audi in a switch which he hopes will propel him towards the sharp end with the German marque’s backing.
Hulkenberg has entered 217 F1 races in a protracted career spread across two stints, but an elusive maiden podium in the top flight has continued to evade his grasp.
But while Audi holds ambitions of contesting championships down the line, Komatsu reckons it would be premature to claim Hulkenberg has title-winning credentials.
“Nico is a great driver. But I wouldn’t talk about the World Championship title. He doesn’t even have a podium to his name yet,” Komatsu told Auto Motor und Sport.
“Something like that has to happen step by step. After his first podium finishes and victories, a driver first has to prove that he can deliver these performances consistently.
“I don’t want to belittle Nico, but I can’t stand here and claim that he has the qualities of a World Champion when he hasn’t even been on the podium yet!”
However, Komatsu, who has worked with Hulkenberg since he arrived at Haas last season, is convinced that the F1 veteran would be able to hold his own at the front.
“Is he one of the top drivers in Formula 1? Absolutely!” Komatsu continued. “If he has the right car, he can definitely compete for podiums and victories.”
Hulkenberg has served an integral role in Haas’ turnaround this season as he has accumulated 22 of the side’s 25 points as it resides in seventh in the championship.
Komatsu has admitted the American squad, which will have an all-new line-up comprising Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman in 2025, will miss Hulkenberg’s services.
“I love working with him,” Komatsu expressed. “He always speaks his mind honestly and clearly, he pushes the team in the right direction. I will definitely miss Nico.”
Meanwhile, Hulkenberg will return to a Sauber-owned squad that has struggled this season and remains the sole team on the grid that hasn’t amassed a single point.
However, the ex-Renault driver doesn’t regret his decision as he acknowledged the work being put in behind the scenes to make the Audi venture a long-term success.
“I don’t think so, to be honest,” he replied.
“I don’t see an opportunity anywhere in the top four teams for me. My mind and my consciousness is very calm and clear.
“Every team always tells you, promises you blue sky. ‘We are doing this, and we’re doing that…’, but obviously Audi is a pretty powerful and big brand in the world.
“I know how seriously they are taking it, what they are investing, what they’re doing to make sure they are competitive, and that they’re going to be a success.
“On top of that, I think obviously the 2026 rule change offers a really good opportunity for a new manufacturer to come in.
“It is really like a reset with the resources, the manpower, the budget and the power of the brand.
“I just think that’s a very good opportunity and an exciting project for me and my career.”
