Sauber confirms a fresh start for the 2024 season as the Swiss outfit enters a transitional phase in Formula 1.
The Swiss outfit will be under Audi’s ownership when the regulations change until 2026. However, they must find a way to finance themselves and remain competitive in the interim. This is where Kick and Stake, Sauber’s new title sponsors, come into play.
Sauber F1 is entering an awkward period, aiming to establish a new identity before the arrival of new ownership. For a team whose financial limitations have been well-documented in the past, this presents a challenge.
After all, it wasn’t too long ago that the Hinwil-based team was on the verge of dropping out of F1.
F1 news outlets and fans alike will have diverging opinions of their new name: Stake F1 Team
However, budget cap restrictions and growing interest in the sport have improved the situation. Sauber is no longer on the financial brink, especially with a constructor’s support only a few years ago.
Still, this isn’t to say sponsorship is easy to come by. This explains the team’s sponsorship agreement with Kick and Stake, two entities that are controversial in their own right.
Sauber to consider various options
For drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, this will be of little concern. Both drivers will be driving for their F1 careers in 2024, with the driver market expected to be highly competitive this season.
Sauber F1 were slightly hesitant to offer Zhou a new contract last season. According to various outlets, there were internal disagreements about who the team should sign.
Whilst the Chinese driver is now locked in for 2024, there is still immense pressure to deliver. F1 news outlets will almost certainly begin discussing “silly season” prospects in the upcoming weeks and months.
Several drivers have been linked with a Sauber move, posing a significant threat to their existing driver pairing. Although this new phase of the team could require some adjusting, its significance cannot be overlooked.
F1 news will be dominated by transfer rumours in 2024. Sauber’s transition to Audi begins with its driver pairing – meaning a fresh set of preferences can be expected in 2024.
