Sauber’s Struggles Continue: Hülkenberg and Bortoleto Endure a Frustrating Weekend in Formula 1
The anticipation was palpable heading into the latest round of the 2024 Formula 1 World Championship, with fans of Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber eager for signs of progress. However, the team left the weekend empty-handed once again, extending their drought for World Championship points and deepening concerns about their competitiveness in this year’s hypercompetitive midfield battle.
Nico Hülkenberg, recently signed by Sauber in a bid to inject fresh energy and experience into the team, endured a particularly challenging race. The German driver, renowned for his qualifying prowess and measured racecraft, found himself battling not only rivals on the track but also fundamental limitations of his C44 chassis. Hülkenberg’s post-race reflections were significantly subdued, as he candidly admitted that the team lacked the pace and operational sharpness to make an impact, stating, “it was simply not our day, not our race.”
For rookie sensation Gabriel Bortoleto, the task was even more daunting. Stepping up from Formula 2, the young Brazilian has shown flashes of promise in his campaign so far, but the challenges of Sauber’s weekend left him unable to unlock the car’s potential. Bortoleto cited difficulties with balance and tyre management, noting that battling at the tail-end of the field was far from ideal for both development and motivation. The team atmosphere, while resilient, betrayed a sense of mounting frustration and urgency for tangible improvement.
Sauber’s persistent struggles underscore broader technical and operational issues that have dogged the Hinwil-based outfit this season. Despite off-season efforts to rectify reliability concerns and improve aerodynamic efficiency, both qualifying and race performances have stalled. Observing the onboards, there’s visible instability under braking and a lack of traction exiting corners, a recipe for losing vital tenths per lap that multiplies over a Grand Prix distance. The engineers face a steep challenge, as the midfield continues to close up and track evolution punishes any lack of adaptability.
One of the immediate problems facing Sauber is their pit stop performance, which has become a recurring Achilles’ heel throughout this season. Precision and speed in the pit lane are now so vital that even minor blunders can drop a car out of the points entirely. Hülkenberg hinted at operational missteps that cost the team precious time, while Bortoleto emphasized the need for flawless teamwork if Sauber is to reclaim a spot in the F1 limelight.
What makes this situation even more puzzling for their loyal supporters is the visible incremental improvements their rivals are making. Teams around them are introducing effective upgrades, leveraging simulator tools, and showing an ability to react rapidly to the unique demands of each circuit. Comparatively, Sauber’s development rate appears sluggish, with in-season upgrades failing to yield tangible gains. According to paddock rumors, a significant raft of changes may be on the horizon, but only time will tell whether these come soon enough to salvage the year.
Despite another pointless outing, there are flickers of hope within the camp. Hülkenberg’s consistent feedback is proving invaluable behind the scenes, as he works closely with engineers to guide future development paths. For Bortoleto, these tough weekends are shaping him into a more complete Grand Prix driver, accelerating his learning curve as he adapts to the unforgiving world of F1. Both drivers maintain an optimistic outlook, stressing that unity and hard work remain fundamental in overcoming adversity.
With the European leg of the season in full swing and an ever-tightening constructors’ battle, Sauber’s next steps are critical. The upcoming Grands Prix will prove whether the Swiss outfit can turn insight into action—or whether a reset for 2025 must begin sooner than planned. Fans and neutrals alike will watch closely, hoping for a resurgence from one of F1’s most tenacious teams.
