Hulkenberg praises 'hands-on' Audi approach after key changes

Nico Hulkenberg has stated Audi's “hands-on” approach amid a change in leadership can be seen as “positive news”. Audi confirmed last month that Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann have left the project with ex-Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto appointed the chief operating and chief technical officer. Further changes were confirmed after the Belgian Grand Prix, with Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley set to become team principal. Hulkenberg, who will race for Audi when it joins the grid in 2026, has praised the “hands-on” approach from Audi CEO Gernot Döllner. “I think it shows that the CEO of Audi and that everyone is looking, they’re aware, they are involved,” he said. “The fact that they take action means that they’re very much involved and invested in it, and hands-on. And that’s, I think, good and positive news.” Hulkenberg has denied he was kept in the know regarding happenings at the project, asserting his commitment to Haas until the end of the season. “No, no, I can't be, it would be wrong and a conflict of interest,” he said. “I'm fully invested in this season still with Haas and fully committed. So I'm not in a loop.”