Sauber’s F1 Driver Dilemma: Audi’s Master Plan to Reveal Second Seat in Weeks
Sauber F1 Team to Decide on Second Driver in Coming Weeks
Sauber F1 Team has not yet decided on its second driver for the 2025 season, but team principal Alessandro Alunni Bravi has confirmed that a decision will be made in the near future.
Over the past three seasons, Guanyu Chou and Valtteri Bottas have raced for the Swiss team, but neither has signed a contract extension for next year, with at least one driver joining current Haas F1 Team driver Nico Hulkenberg.
Sauber failed to score points in 2024 and are the only team on the grid yet to score, but there is optimism for the future as they focus on 2026, when they will become Audi’s works team.
Former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto, Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley and Hulkenberg are all involved in the upcoming Audi project, but the question is who will partner the German driver.
Ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Alunni Bravi explained that driver decisions rest with Binotto, who took over as chief operating officer and technical director in early August.
“I already told him in Monza that he will take care of all the paperwork, but the driver is obviously one of the most important,” Alunni Bravi told a press conference in Baku.
“We are evaluating all options to see what the best balance is between short-term experience and medium-, long-term and perhaps young talent.”
“There are potential candidates on both sides. Valtteri is a strong driver for our team. We know him well. He has been with the team for three years already and is obviously on our list.”
“But there are also other opportunities. We are considering all the pros and cons and Mattia will make a decision based on the medium/long-term strategy of the Audi F1 project, not just on 2025.”
With the introduction of new revised regulations in 2026, Audi hopes to take advantage of the major changes with a strong lineup. According to reports, candidates include current F2 driver Gabriel Bortleto and Sauber reserve driver Theo Pourcher.
Alunni Bravi explained that there is little pressure on Binotto to make a decision as soon as possible.
“Of course we are not opportunists, so it is not a question of deadlines,” he said. “At the moment there is only one vacancy, so I would like to take my time.”
“It’s important to evaluate everything, all the aspects and make the right decision. I don’t think we need to rush, but we want to tick this box soon as well. So I think it will be a question of the next few weeks.”
Category: Formula 1 / Sauber F1 Team / Audi