Sauber’s Formula 1 journey has always been about punching above their weight, but 2024 has proven to be one of the most challenging seasons in the Swiss squad’s long history. Languishing at the rear of the grid, the Hinwil-based team is facing mounting pressure both on and off the track. While whispers of redemption often circulate in the F1 paddock, Sauber’s current focus is shifting well beyond the immediate horizon. With a highly anticipated transformation into the Audi works team looming for 2026, the team has now made a decisive, albeit tough, call regarding their short-term approach.
The core of Sauber’s predicament lies in the unique overlap of F1’s technical eras. The final rounds of Alfa Romeo branding are now behind them, and the first phase of Audi’s ownership is still a year away. Sauber—currently racing under the Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber name—is grappling with persistent performance woes, most notably related to pit stop efficiency and overall race pace. Their hopes for a rapid turnaround are being put on hold; instead, team principal Alessandro Alunni Bravi and technical leadership have chosen a pragmatic strategy: write off significant development resources for 2025 in favor of an all-out assault with Audi on the new 2026 regulations.
This bold move is not without precedence in Formula 1 history. Teams have often faced the dilemma of whether to divert resources to a future regulation set, especially when current results are below expectations. For Sauber, the pressure of incoming Audi investment and partnership brings heightened stakes: the team must not only build a competitive car for 2026 but also set the foundations for a sustained presence at the front of the F1 grid.
With these realities in mind, Sauber’s top brass communicated to sponsors and technical partners that 2025 would essentially become a transitional season. While updates and minor refinements will continue, the firepower of their design, R&D, and engineering arms will be laser-focused on cracking the 2026 regulatory puzzle—a year that will see sweeping changes to both chassis and power unit architecture. These include radical changes to aerodynamics, a huge increase in electrical power output, and new sustainable fuels, all of which offer a reset button for teams looking to overturn the current competitive order.
From an engineering perspective, Sauber’s technical team is working hand-in-hand with the incoming Audi power unit project in Neuburg, allowing early integration between the chassis and the German manufacturer’s ambitious engine. This collaboration is already shaping everything from cooling solutions to overall packaging philosophy—key ingredients that have differentiated dominant teams in past regulation shake-ups.
But what does this mean for drivers and loyal fans? Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu have expressed understanding of the longer-term project at hand, though it’s clear that motivation during what could be another difficult year won’t be easy to maintain. Supporters, especially in Switzerland and across Europe, must grapple with another potential year of underwhelming results, all in anticipation of the team’s rebirth as Audi F1 Team.
Still, optimism is growing around Hinwil. Audi’s investment is transformative, with plans for a major expansion of infrastructure, personnel, and technology already underway. History shows that major manufacturers who enter Formula 1 with conviction—backed by focused, factory-level support—can become a force to be reckoned with. The likes of Mercedes and Renault made their mark with long-term strategies and cutting-edge innovation.
The decision to prioritize 2026 may feel like yet another setback in Sauber’s determined quest for relevance, but it actually signals a team intent on breaking out of midfield mediocrity for good. For the first time since their rookie years, Sauber has the backing and vision necessary to challenge for podiums and, perhaps, titles. The coming 18 months may test the patience of fans and the mettle of team personnel, but if the past is any indication, a well-prepared, well-funded Audi-Sauber squad could be one of the major surprises of Formula 1’s next era.
