Nico Hülkenberg

The German veteran is in his second season at the team formerly known as Sauber, which competes in 2026 as Audi's full works entry. Hülkenberg has been a paddock fixture since debuting with Williams in 2010, with stints at Force India, Sauber, Renault and Haas across his career, and the unusual distinction of having taken pole position at the 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix.

With Audi entering as a full works manufacturer for the new regulation cycle, Hülkenberg's experience is invaluable for a team building from the ground up. Long overdue a podium — he holds the record for most starts without one — 2026 might finally provide the package to put that right.