Sauber F1 Workforce Faces Tensions Forward of Audi’s 2026 Debut Amid Efficiency Struggles

Sauber F1 Workforce has admitted there may be “rigidity” throughout the crew as Audi prepares to affix F1 in 2026.

Audi will take over the Sauber F1 crew, which is able to race underneath the Sauber F1 identify in 2024 and 2025, and can make its Grand Prix debut in 2026.

Nevertheless, up till the Belgian Grand Prix, Sauber had but to attain any factors, with its greatest outcome being Chou Guanyu’s eleventh place on the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Since then, their greatest end has been three Thirteenth-place finishes, and the crew is on observe to be the final to attain factors.

Audi has made main personnel adjustments in latest weeks, with weaknesses uncovered in qualifying and high-speed corners, however remains to be working to resolve the problem.

Lengthy-time undertaking chief Andreas Seidl has left the corporate and been changed by former Ferrari crew principal Mattia Binotto. Workforce principal Alessandro Arunni Bravi admitted there was a way of nervousness in Hinwil.

“As we sit up for 2026, it’s pure to make comparisons sometimes, as a result of the premise of the Audi manufacturing facility crew is the present crew,” Bravi advised RacingNews365.

“There aren’t any worries, however clearly there’s a sense of nervousness as a result of we have now to take the correct steps, change and head in a constructive course for the 2024 season. However there may be good assist and nervousness.”

“Audi is giving us all of the instruments to make the investments we have to appoint the individuals we have to develop our construction.”

“We’re nonetheless solely about 600 individuals in comparison with different groups which have groups of at the very least 1,000 individuals. These groups are our direct rivals.”

“I am speaking about Williams and Alpine, to not point out different groups like Aston Martin.”

“I do not wish to say that there are issues, however we perceive that we have to change course and enhance our outcomes.”

We’ll all work collectively to realize higher efficiency.”

Constructing the Audi F1 Workforce

Arunni Bravi believes that if the crew can present higher efficiency earlier than Audi enters the race, it can make the undertaking extra enticing not just for the drivers but in addition for the technical workers.

Earlier than Audi enters the race in 2026, Nico Hulkenberg has determined to race with the crew in 2025. Lengthy-term purpose Carlos Sainz Jr. has in the end chosen Williams.

Whereas it appears sure that Guanyu Chou will go away the crew, the way forward for teammate Valtteri Bottas stays unsure, particularly given the brand new Sainz and the necessity for an additional skilled Grand Prix driver alongside Hulkenberg appears extra sure.

“I’ve all the time believed that the work we do day by day has an impression on our future,” Bravi mentioned.

“In fact, you will need to get outcomes and enhance the crew’s place. If we are able to get to the highest, we are able to have an effect on the driving force market, on the recruitment plans and on the business features.”

“What makes me optimistic is that the Audi undertaking is a really robust neighborhood. We all know the challenges, however we’re aggressive. It is only a matter of time.”

“Clearly we’re nonetheless removed from being aggressive in the mean time, however we’re working arduous behind the scenes to sort things.”

“What we want is to attach the weather.”

Class: Components 1 / Sauber F1 Workforce / audio