Audi continues to study all possible options for the composition of the future works team, but it is not yet clear who will partner Nico Hulkenberg next season at the rebranded Sauber in 2026.
Many experts agree that the Swiss team could extend the contract with Valtteri Bottas, because although Sauber has zero points this season, everyone understands that the experienced Finn, who has 236 Grands Prix to his name, is clearly outperforming Guanyu Zhou.
Now, however, the Audi project is led by Mattia Binotto, and it is still unclear what logic he will follow. Hulkenberg also has a lot of experience, so in theory you can take a risk and entrust the second car to a younger driver. If it is important for the Ingolstadt company to emphasize that it represents Germany in Formula 1, why not invite Mick Schumacher, for example? At least for a year, to really assess his potential, and then we’ll see.
We told you that the list of candidates reportedly includes Robert Schwartzman, who Binotto knows well from Ferrari, as well as Gabriel Bortoleto, who occupies second place in the Formula 2 individual standings, but there are certain issues with the promising Brazilian – he is part of McLaren’s youth team program.
The authoritative German publication Auto Motor und Sport comes up with another version, not so unexpected, but interesting in its own way: Audi is also looking at Alex Palou, a two-time IndyCar champion who is leading the American series this season.
The 27-year-old Spaniard drives for Chip Ganassi Racing and has some experience with Formula 1 cars, having served as a reserve driver for McLaren, albeit briefly, and worked with the team in private testing.
Later, however, the story took a scandalous turn, as McLaren alleged that Palou breached contractual obligations by refusing to cooperate. The team has sued him for a whopping $30 million, and the case is far from over.
According to McLaren Racing CEO Zac Brown: “The trial is ongoing and will be completed, I am 100% confident of that. It probably won’t finish until next year.”
No one doubts Palou’s talent and professionalism; in the US he is a real star, and all this will certainly attract the attention of Audi, but it cannot be ruled out that the lawsuit with McLaren could work against him. Nevertheless, this fact in itself hardly embellishes Alex’s reputation. Although, of course, it will be interesting in its own way when he appears in the Formula 1 paddock, where he will inevitably have to cross paths with Zac Brown.
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
