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Sauber F1 Team 2025


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#1 rocque

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Posted 02 January 2025 - 16:29

As COO and CTO, Binotto takes over the operative management of Sauber Motorsport AG at the site in Hinwil and the technical development of the future racing cars; in this role, he is the overall technical interface between the development teams in Hinwil and that in Neuburg an der Donau, which is responsible for development of the power unit.

 
By July 2025 at the latest, Wheatley will complete Audi’s new management team for Formula One in the role of Team Principal and management spokesperson. He will focus above all on the racing performance of the future F1 factory team, on operational management of all race events, and on representing Audi at Team Principal level in matters relating to Formula One.

https://www.sauber-g...s/detail/test-7

 

James Key - Technical Director

 

other recently recruited (in chronological order):

Lee Stevenson - Chief Mechanic 

Stefano Sordo - Performance Director (newly created)

Stefan Strahnz - Programme Director

Giampaolo Dall’Ara - Head of Race Engineering (newly created)

Ignacio 'Inaki' Rueda - Sporting Director (replaces Beat Zehnder)

 

From Binotto's perspective, the previous management, initially led by Andreas Seidl but then joined by Oliver Hoffmann, was too focused on the longer term picture at the expense of what was happening right now.

 
It is what triggered Sauber's fall down the order and also impacted the mindset of the team where it did not really have a clearly defined strategy of what it should be doing today.
 
"When I joined in August, really, it was like a team that was almost frozen," added Binotto.
 
"So while making sure that we had the proper plans in our journey to become a top team in the future, we really needed to boost the team for improvement and possibly already during the current season.
 
"How important the current season was was not only about not finishing with zero points, because finishing 10th with zero or 10th with four points does not change much.
 
"But it was more for us to make sure that we have defined the proper direction of development for next season as well – and being energized through the wintertime.
 
"Today, I can see a team that is more convinced on what's required, what's necessary for next season, and hopefully we can further develop the current car."

https://www.motorspo...plans/10683674/

 

The final upgrade stage of the Sauber C44 was spread over three stages. In Austin, a new front wing was fitted to the car, along with newly panelled front and rear wishbones and rear brake vents. The front suspension was modified for the Brazilian GP. The decisive step, however, was a completely new underbody in Las Vegas. This was completed in Abu Dhabi with small changes to the diffuser. The aim was to flatten the aerodynamic map. Previously, the Sauber was only good in a few corners, but lost more in the others than it gained in its strong sections.

 
The car's main problem areas were slow and medium-speed corners. Chief engineer Xavi Pujolar reveals: ‘It was precisely these weak points that we addressed with the new underfloor and we immediately felt progress in Las Vegas. We are no longer only strong in three or four corners per track. The downforce is better distributed.’
 
According to Pujolar, the progress was in the two-tenths range. Doesn't sound like much, but it is given the close gaps in the field. ‘This has brought us back into contention from last place.’ Sauber has managed the balancing act between more downforce and better drivability with the latest upgrade. ‘The drivers have had more confidence in their car since then.’
 
The most important news for Sauber, however, is that the engineers under James Key have now found a direction that can be built on in 2025. ‘The next step is the decisive one,’ Pujolar believes. ‘Now we have to prove a second time that we are moving in this direction. We've also seen with other teams that it's easy to go backwards if you overdo it. The aim must be to increase downforce without damaging the characteristics of the aerodynamics.’

https://www.auto-mot...-upgrades-2025/

 

Just improve the car properly and it can be a decent year...


Edited by rocque, 02 January 2025 - 16:32.


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#2 Pete_f1

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Posted 02 January 2025 - 18:15

I think another year at the back is in order as the team transitions to Audi.

Hope not but...

#3 KWSN - DSM

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Posted 02 January 2025 - 18:29

I have been clear in my high expectations from Audi, which regardless of appearing less solid footing I will remain with until proven differently. I am interested in seeing how Bortoleto measure up against Hulkenberg.

 

And naturally have a bet to win with Beri in the straight up battle against Williams.



#4 Beri

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Posted 02 January 2025 - 18:53

I have been clear in my high expectations from Audi, which regardless of appearing less solid footing I will remain with until proven differently. I am interested in seeing how Bortoleto measure up against Hulkenberg.
 
And naturally have a bet to win with Beri in the straight up battle against Williams.


For 2026. So you have another year to cheer the team on to new heights.

#5 KWSN - DSM

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Posted 02 January 2025 - 19:02

For 2026. So you have another year to cheer the team on to new heights.

 

I will!!1



#6 Deeq

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Posted 02 January 2025 - 20:33

Is the teams name Sauber again? 



#7 Beri

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Posted 02 January 2025 - 22:55

It will always be.



#8 Anja

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Posted 02 January 2025 - 23:50

In our hearts. 



#9 Beri

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Posted 03 January 2025 - 00:28

"They'll be ready (They'll be ready)

Never you fear (no don't you fear)
They'll be ready, forever and always

Sauber is always here"

 



#10 r4mses

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Posted 03 January 2025 - 01:08

Fingers crossed it wont look as terrible as last year's car -- which, tbh, is a very, very low bar. 



#11 danmills

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Posted 03 January 2025 - 04:06

Last year it looked like something you'd see a 14 year old design in GP4.

 

Refreshingly different. Yet hideous.

 

The Stake logo appeared far too many times, was there a single panel or faceted angle it wasn't stuck to?


Edited by danmills, 03 January 2025 - 04:09.


#12 FirstnameLastname

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Posted 03 January 2025 - 04:20

The final year for Stake F1 team…

Can they afford to just stay in their holding pattern at the bottom of the championship? Or will another year of zero progress, intentional or not - cause cold feet at Audi?

They obviously want to save all the credit and glory for the real brand… but to keep getting worse rather than better isn’t good for the team personnel and their mindsets

‘You can have a few years of being crap, but then we want you to be REALLY good… ok?’

#13 Clatter

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Posted 03 January 2025 - 22:26

The final year for Stake F1 team…

Can they afford to just stay in their holding pattern at the bottom of the championship? Or will another year of zero progress, intentional or not - cause cold feet at Audi?

They obviously want to save all the credit and glory for the real brand… but to keep getting worse rather than better isn’t good for the team personnel and their mindsets

‘You can have a few years of being crap, but then we want you to be REALLY good… ok?’

 


Unless there is carry over from this car to the 2026 one, I would think they would better off putting all their effort into 2026. However there is still the unknown element of their PU.

#14 kumo7

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Posted 06 January 2025 - 08:19

I think Saiber will be seventh or eighth in 2025. just one small step at a time. in 2026 will be six or seventh and so on.then in 2031, racing for WCC

#15 Beri

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Posted 06 January 2025 - 09:40

The final year for Stake F1 team Red Bull Sauber Petronas…

Can they afford to just stay in their holding pattern at the bottom of the championship? Or will another year of zero progress, intentional or not - cause cold feet at Audi?

They obviously want to save all the credit and glory for the real brand… but to keep getting worse rather than better isn’t good for the team personnel and their mindsets

‘You can have a few years of being crap, but then we want you to be REALLY good… ok?’

 
There, fixed it for you!

#16 PayasYouRace

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Posted 06 January 2025 - 09:49


There, fixed it for you!


Please don’t do that.

#17 sladealonso

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Posted 06 January 2025 - 12:41

I'm just here to give my seal of approval to young Bortoleto. I really like the kid, think he has a lot of potential. Hopefully my judgement hasn't been clouded by mecachrome inconsistencies and he delivers. I'll be back at the end of the year to validate!



#18 FLB

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Posted 15 January 2025 - 14:56

Alessandro Alunni Bravi is leaving the team: https://racer.com/20...o-leave-sauber/



#19 messy

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Posted 15 January 2025 - 15:05

I think their identity has been really muddled in recent years and I suppose that’s inevitable with Audi coming in, but the awkwardness of the transition from a branding perspective has made the team quite hard to root for because it feels like it’s got about three different identities and all of them are/have been half-baked. Was it Alfa Romeo? No, it was Sauber sponsored by Alfa Romeo. Was it Stake F1 Team? Is it still Sauber? What’s that abomination of a livery? Are Audi even coming? If ever a car deserved to be really slow last year, it was theirs. And I say that as someone who’s always been fond of this team.

So this second year of the awkward ‘waiting for Audi’ era, I have no idea what to expect at all, except the car is probably going to be slow and Bortoleto will be more fun to watch than Zhou.

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#20 kumo7

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Posted 15 January 2025 - 16:38

its all part of the game

#21 rocque

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Posted 15 January 2025 - 21:32

Jonathan Wheatley is set to join three months earlier, from April 1, before third race of the season. Great news!

 

Bottas: Audi should be competitive with the engine

According to Bottas, who switched to the racing team in 2022, which was still called Alfa Romeo at the time, it has been ‘a bit of a mess in recent years with people leaving and people coming in.’ And even apart from that, Audi still has a lot of work ahead of it, according to Bottas.
 
‘It's going to be a big challenge and they know that. I think they have focused on the powertrain for a long time and invested a lot, so they will do a good job,’ said the Finn, who believes that Audi has “the resources and the potential” to be competitive with the engine from 2026.
 
‘My biggest concern is the chassis,’ says Bottas, reminding us: ’It's not made by Audi, it's still made by Sauber.’ This is because Audi significantly expanded its existing motorsport factory in Neuburg an der Donau for its own Formula 1 powertrain.
 
However, the Formula 1 chassis will not be developed there; this will continue to be produced in Hinwil from 2026 and beyond. ‘So the chassis side definitely needs to be improved,’ explains Bottas, alluding to Sauber's results in recent years.

https://www.motorspo...-motor-25011304


Edited by rocque, 15 January 2025 - 21:32.


#22 FullThrottleF1

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Posted 15 January 2025 - 22:59

I think their identity has been really muddled in recent years and I suppose that’s inevitable with Audi coming in, but the awkwardness of the transition from a branding perspective has made the team quite hard to root for because it feels like it’s got about three different identities and all of them are/have been half-baked. Was it Alfa Romeo? No, it was Sauber sponsored by Alfa Romeo. Was it Stake F1 Team? Is it still Sauber? What’s that abomination of a livery? Are Audi even coming? If ever a car deserved to be really slow last year, it was theirs. And I say that as someone who’s always been fond of this team.

So this second year of the awkward ‘waiting for Audi’ era, I have no idea what to expect at all, except the car is probably going to be slow and Bortoleto will be more fun to watch than Zhou.



I quite like the livery. It's better than 99% of liveries on F1 cars from the last 15 years

#23 Mohican

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 10:02

Auto Motor & Sport in Germany reports that Audi confirms having finally acquired 100% of Sauber last week.
So finally no more excuses for Audi.

#24 KWSN - DSM

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 10:14

Auto Motor & Sport in Germany reports that Audi confirms having finally acquired 100% of Sauber last week.
So finally no more excuses for Audi.

 

This is F1, there will be plenty of excuses if they have a need for them.



#25 Mohican

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Posted 21 January 2025 - 14:51

Maybe, but Binotto should stop blaming everyone else.

#26 JRodrigues

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Posted 22 January 2025 - 20:55

It seems Bortoleto also rode a TPC at Imola.



#27 JRodrigues

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Posted 22 January 2025 - 23:03

oops forgot the link!

 

https://x.com/Estagi...109554324111636



#28 FLB

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Posted 28 January 2025 - 22:21



#29 PayasYouRace

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Posted 28 January 2025 - 22:55

An all black Sauber, as god intended.



#30 ATM

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Posted 28 January 2025 - 22:56

Some white taxi checkers with a Tissot sticker and it would be perfect.

#31 FirstnameLastname

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Posted 29 January 2025 - 04:26

Auto Motor & Sport in Germany reports that Audi confirms having finally acquired 100% of Sauber last week.
So finally no more excuses for Audi.


I thought they just sold some of it to the Saudis?! Or is this them buying it all so they can sell some?

#32 JRodrigues

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Posted 29 January 2025 - 08:47

An all black Sauber, as god intended.

 

But it will still continue green for the '25 season  :evil:



#33 PayasYouRace

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Posted 29 January 2025 - 09:26

But it will still continue green for the '25 season :evil:


As The Hulk intended?

#34 JRodrigues

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Posted 29 January 2025 - 13:52

 

 

JRodrigues, on 29 Jan 2025 - 08:47, said:
 
But it will still continue green for the '25 season :evil:

 

 

 

 

As The Hulk intended?

 

ohreally-wow.gif

 

It all makes sense now.. Hadn't realized that before!



#35 JRodrigues

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Posted 29 January 2025 - 14:40

2025 team kit

 

stake-f1-store.jpg

nico-hulkenberg.jpg

gabriel-bortoleto-stake-f1.jpg



#36 PayasYouRace

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Posted 29 January 2025 - 14:48

A bucket hat? Really?

#37 KWSN - DSM

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Posted 29 January 2025 - 14:50

**cough**

 

PHOTO-2023-07-28-12-02-14.jpg



#38 BRG

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Posted 29 January 2025 - 18:14

Trousers like those are making the tifosi wet themselves in their enthusiasm when worn by Cavaliere Lewis.



#39 KWSN - DSM

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Posted 29 January 2025 - 19:46

Trousers like those are making the tifosi wet themselves in their enthusiasm when worn by Cavaliere Lewis.

 

The French Alpine fans walking by later serenaded me "Bravo, Bravo, Bravo" - While pointing at my pants, not just Tifosi find me alluring. 



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#40 JRodrigues

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Posted 30 January 2025 - 23:07

It seems it wasn't Ferrari alone getting some laps in Barcelona these days. Sauber and Bortoleto got some laps unedr their belt these couple of days. Always good for the rookie to get some proper testing before the season start.



#41 Junky

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Posted 31 January 2025 - 01:59

I hate this colour scheme!



#42 danmills

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Posted 31 January 2025 - 02:29

I think it's the combination of the jarring colours PLUS the hideous Stake logo.

 

The colours are tolerable on their own, different.

 

If 'Stake' wasn't size 3000 and plastered on the car like it was raspberry fired out of a laxative laced hippopotamus' arse covering every available surface then it wouldn't scream 'designed in MS Paint and Word Art'.

 

I really hate that logo.



#43 Zippel

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Posted 31 January 2025 - 02:32

2025 team kit

 

stake-f1-store.jpg

nico-hulkenberg.jpg

gabriel-bortoleto-stake-f1.jpg

 

F1 or 20/20 cricket?



#44 BRG

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Posted 31 January 2025 - 09:11

F1 or 20/20 cricket?

One the reasons why cricketers should only take to the pitch wearing WHITE.  Like tennis players. 



#45 Beri

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Posted 31 January 2025 - 11:03

I must admit that the black and green is growing on me.

#46 ATM

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Posted 31 January 2025 - 11:12

It looked kind of ok last year too în the presentation photos. Most likely the photographer cursed his life while fiddling with light, background, shutter aperture etc. în order to make it look better than it was.

Then came testing and the car was ugly as sin in real life. Bummer.

#47 Beri

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Posted 31 January 2025 - 13:53

Bortoleto sporting #5? Vettel fans won't be happy.

#48 tyker

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Posted 31 January 2025 - 14:02

One the reasons why cricketers should only take to the pitch wearing WHITE.  Like tennis players. 

That only happens at Wimbledon.



#49 PayasYouRace

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Posted 31 January 2025 - 17:01

Bortoleto sporting #5? Vettel fans won't be happy.

Vettel fans? How about the Mansell fans?



#50 pacificquay

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Posted 04 February 2025 - 17:42

Sauber setting up a UK technical base in the hope of being better able to attract staff.