The Sauber-run workforce have been eager to convey Hulkenberg again to Hinwil however Haas chief Steiner blocked the transfer, in keeping with a report by Swiss publication Blick.
Revered F1 journalist Roger Benoit reported that Alfa Romeo additionally thought-about a swoop for Aston Martin reserve and System 2 champion Felipe Drugovich earlier than in the end deciding to retain Zhou Guanyu alongside Valtteri Bottas for subsequent season.
Benoit famous there had been “fierce dialogue and controversy” behind the scenes at Alfa Romeo “for weeks” as they weighed up their driver choices for 2024.
36-year-old Hulkenberg, who has already agreed a brand new deal to proceed at Haas subsequent yr, not too long ago admitted his curiosity in driving for Audi’s future F1 programme.
The Sauber workforce which Hulkenberg drove for a decade in the past will grow to be Audi’s works operation when it enters F1 in 2026.
“It’s positively one of many very enticing tasks proper now,” Hulkenberg informed F1’s official Past The Grid podcast.
“A brand new model coming into System 1, very thrilling, a German producer as properly, folks that I’ve labored with and achieved rather well earlier than.
“Yeah, all of it sounds very nice and good on paper. Clearly I must put within the good work, maintain driving convincing drives, to perhaps have a shot there. However solely time will inform.”
The German has loved a formidable full-time return to F1 this yr, having outperformed teammate Kevin Magnussen throughout the 14 races to have taken place up to now.