2025 F1 Team Preview: Sauber, New Driver Lineup Have.....

2025 F1 Team Preview: Sauber, New Driver Lineup Have….. read more

The Sauber F1 team is gearing up for a rejuvenating season in 2025, following a challenging 2024 campaign that saw the team struggle significantly. The most notable changes come in the driver lineup, with veteran Nico Hulkenberg rejoining the team on a long-term contract believed to be for three years. Hulkenberg, who had a successful two-year stint at Haas that revitalized his career, previously raced for Sauber in 2013. His experience and proven track record could provide much-needed stability and performance for the team.

Joining Hulkenberg is Gabriel Bortoleto, a promising talent who makes his debut in Formula 1 after clinching back-to-back championships in Formula 3 and Formula 2, both achieved as a rookie. Bortoleto, who had been part of Fernando Alonso’s A14 Management stable and was previously a McLaren young driver, was released from McLaren to pursue this opportunity with Sauber. This new lineup marks a significant change for the team, as they move on from Valtteri Bottas, Zhou Guanyu, and reserve driver Théo Pourchaire, all of whom have departed.

In terms of leadership, Mattia Binotto has taken on the dual role of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer, having returned to the sport after an 18-month hiatus following his exit from Ferrari. To further streamline operations, Jonathan Wheatley, the long-time Sporting Director at Red Bull, is set to join as team principal in early April. This change is intended to allow Binotto to concentrate more on factory and company matters. Gernot Dollner will oversee Audi’s involvement, as the manufacturer has assumed full control of Sauber.

The 2024 season was a dismal one for Sauber, which finished last in the championship with only one top-10 finish, achieved in Qatar. The team’s performance was characterized by a lack of cohesion and direction, which resulted in wasted preparation time and ineffective development strategies. Despite starting the season on a relatively positive note, Sauber’s prospects quickly diminished, exacerbated by pit stop issues and an inability to keep pace with rivals who made significant gains. However, the team showed signs of improvement towards the end of the season, particularly with the introduction of a new floor during the Las Vegas Grand Prix, hinting at potential progress for the upcoming year.

Hulkenberg’s return to Sauber is seen as a positive step, especially given his strong performance in the midfield during the previous season. His