At the age of 36, Nico Hulkenberg is embarking on a new phase in Formula 1 with Audi in 2026, and the deal with the German manufacturer could be highly lucrative for the German driver, especially if he consistently scores points. According to information, each point earned by Hulkenberg during the 2026 season will mean a bonus of $54,000.
This season marks the debut of Audi as an official F1 team, after taking over Sauber entirely, with the R26 being powered by an Audi engine. Although the financial details of the contracts of Audi’s drivers, Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, are confidential, the performance bonus offered to the German driver is a factor that could result in a significant increase in his income.
Last year, Hulkenberg scored 51 points, including an impressive third place at the British Grand Prix, which was the German’s first podium in the category. If the $54,000 per point bonus had already been in effect, he could have pocketed an additional $2.7 million. This value could be even higher in 2026, with the new regulations and the promise of a competitive Audi car.
Although Audi is one of the two new engine suppliers on the grid, the regulatory changes for 2026, which include cars with active aerodynamics and hybrid engines with a 50/50 split between combustion and electricity, have created an opportunity for teams to exceed expectations. This opens the way for Hulkenberg to stand out even more.
Damon Hill, a former driver and 1996 Formula 1 champion, had the chance to see the Audi car in action during the team’s shakedown, and believes the German team could be a surprise: “Audi has inserted itself into the Sauber structure, and with the arrival of a major manufacturer, the team has the potential to grow a lot,” Hill said.
Audi’s new R26 will be officially unveiled in Berlin this Tuesday (20), and expectations around the car are high. For Hulkenberg, this could be the beginning of a new and prosperous phase in his Formula 1 career.
