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Former F1 Boss lashes out at Audi for signing a driver not fit for Formula 1

The German driver Nico Hulkenberg was signed for the Sauber F1 team next year. Another German driver Mick Schumacher name was written off for the 2025 season.

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Venkatakrishnan
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Kick Sauber

(Source: Kick Sauber F1)

Former Torro Rosso Team boss lashed out at the Audi Team now Sauber for signing Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto despite having better drivers than them. In particular, Nico Hulkenberg was heavily criticised by the former boss as he had enough chances in the sport. 

Franz Tost wants Mick Schumacher to be given the opportunity instead of Nico Hulkenberg in the Sauber F1 team. The German driver was currently racing for the Haas F1 team and next year he will be joining the Sauber F1 team alongside Gabriel Bortoleto. 

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The Formula 1 team's favourite reserve driver was signed as part of the Audi F1 program and team principal Binotto took all the responsibility in signing drivers. The Haas team scored a total of 46 points this season and out of that 31 points were scored by Nico Hulkenberg outsourcing his teammate Kevin Magnussen. 

Audi team wanted some German sentiment to keep their sponsors and investors interested in their team who are mostly from Germany. But according to Tost, Hulkenberg is no longer in his prime and should not be in the Formula 1 grid anymore. 

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'He doesn't deserve to be in F1'- Franz Tost

He believes Mick Schumacher is a better choice for the Sauber team's driver seat next year and beyond. The Stake F1 Kick Sauber will be rebranded as Audi from the 2026 season as they will be using their own engine from the 2026 season. The former Torro Rosso boss said “I would play the German card, especially in these difficult times. That is the best way to get employees who are critical of Formula 1 back on board.”

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He believes Mick Schumacher will be perfect for playing the German card and previous F1 experience will also add to his benefit. Mick raced for the Haas F1 team in the 2021 and 2022 seasons and the 25-year-old driver is looking for a comeback in F1.

Tost said Sauber could have also signed Mick instead of Bortoleto as he feels the pressure on the young Brazilian is too much. He added “He has done a good job in the junior classes so far but the jump to Formula 1 is huge. The cars are relatively easy to drive in dry conditions, but in the rain in Sao Paulo you saw what happened to other highly praised junior drivers.” 

The highly praised junior drivers from Formula 2 Oliver Bearman and Franco Colapinto struggled in Brazil GP. Bearman went off the track many times while Colapinto crashed his car on the main straights. After Sauber confirmed Hulkenberg and Bortoleto as their drivers Mick Schumacher’s Formula 1 dream got shattered and now he needs to wait one more year for the 2026 season as he has already been away from F1 for the past two years.

Also Read: 7 F1 drivers who threw their Formula 1 championship away by making critical mistakes.

Formula 1 Nico Hulkenberg Sauber
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