Poll: Who should Audi sign to partner Hulkenberg?

The second seat at Stake F1 is one of the precious few drives still unconfirmed for the 2025 season.

Nico Hulkenberg was secured early in the year as the team starts to turn its focus to the transition into Audi for 2026.

The German marque had hoped to place Carlos Sainz alongside him, in what would proved a formidable line-up for latest guise of the former-Sauber entry.

However, the outgoing Ferrari driver was seemingly unconvinced by the legs of the project, instead opting to join Williams as team-mate to Alexander Albon.

And indeed, it has not been plain sailing for Audi. Towards the end of July, Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffman were dismissed from their roles - not a good sign for a project some 18 months out from launch.

On the other hand, Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley coming in as replacements to spearhead the operation is has been met by a positive reaction.

One of the first orders of business for the duo will be to sure up its second driver, with the most likely option that whoever is signed will brought in for the final Stake season in 2025, with at least a second year on their contract for 2026.

Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are the incumbents, but RacingNews365 understands, however, that the latter driver is no longer in serious consideration, with Audi having cut its shortlist to just Bottas and two further names.

There are believed to be strong links between Audi and Liam Lawson. The Red Bull reserve driver will be hoping for an RB seat, but there is heavy speculation he could join the German team if Red Bull does hold steady.

Meanwhile, a dark horse candidate has emerged in the past few days. Gabriel Bortoleto, the 2023 F3 champion and McLaren junior, is enjoying a strong rookie season in F2 and is currently second in the fight for the drivers' title. The Brazilian undoubtedly has the talent to reach F1.

Surprisingly, and like Zhou, Theo Pourchaire is not believed to be in the running, despite waiting in the wings as the most experienced Sauber junior driver. 

The F2 champion has raced in Super Formula and IndyCar this season, but his F1 prospects have taken a hit in recent years - he was once assumed a future shoe-in for a seat, but now looks to have run out of road with those aspirations.

Who do you think Audi should sign to partner Nico Hulkenberg? Let us know by voting in the latest poll by RacingNews365.