JEDDAH STREET CIRCUIT, SAUDI ARABIA – MARCH 08: Ayao Komatsu, Haas F1 Team Director, and Nico Hulkenberg, Haas F1 Team, during the Saudi Arabia GP at Jeddah Street Circuit on Friday, March 08, 2024, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Mark Sutton / Sutton Images)
This is the first time Hulkenberg has been affiliated with a factory Formula 1 team throughout his career, which represents a progression from his current team, Haas.
Despite this, the German Formula 1 driver stated that it was not an easy decision, revealing that Haas Team Director, Ayao Komatsu, made every effort to keep him.
Komatsu took over from Guenther Steiner at Haas before the 2024 Formula 1 season, and Hulkenberg was impressed with the Japanese engineer’s approach.
Regarding Komatsu’s sudden promotion, Hulkenberg told Motorsport.com: “He’s doing admirably. He was thrown into the deep end as the new team boss at the start of the year. Out of nowhere.
“In February, he had a driver contract in his hands for the first time in his life. That’s also special, and there are a few things you need to know and see first.
“Until the announcement, it was fantastic working with him. Also in terms of coordination. I spoke frankly with him about it a few weeks ago, that there was a good relationship and that a decision would probably be made sooner rather than later.
“He fought, gave it his all,” Hulkenberg added. “The decision was not easy for me. I have already thought about it.
“Haas is the team that made my comeback possible. But, in the end, the best sporting opportunity for me personally is simply with Audi,” he stated.
However, Haas will not treat their departing driver any differently in terms of car updates for the remainder of 2024. After all, he has accumulated the most points so far, while his teammate, Kevin Magnussen, has only scored one.
“I don’t believe so. I think it will continue to be fair and satisfying,” was Hulkenberg’s response when asked if Magnussen will have priority in terms of future car updates.
“The team and I are interested in finishing the season in the best possible way,” he insisted. “We want to try to outperform all the other midfield teams, and I don’t think that is entirely unrealistic given the current circumstances.
“We will continue to collaborate as a team in the right direction,” concluded the 36-year-old Formula 1 veteran driver.
