Sauber Remains Committed to 2025 Development Despite Audi Transition and 2026 F1 Overhaul

Sauber Committed to 2025 Development Despite Impending Audi Transition

Why it matters: As the Formula 1 pitlane focuses on the radical 2026 car and drivetrain overhaul, Sauber is making it clear it won't abandon its 2025 campaign. The team has found unexpected development avenues, particularly through a new floor geometry introduced earlier this year.

The big picture: While engineering efforts at the factory are shifting towards the 2026 Audi package, team principal Jonathan Wheatley emphasizes that Sauber still has significant operational development scope for 2025. Wheatley, formerly of Red Bull, aims to instill a stronger, more competitive culture.

• He stresses the importance of leveraging recent momentum to strengthen trackside and factory operations.
• The goal is continuous improvement in every area and building depth within the organization.
• Empowering people and fostering a positive working environment are seen as crucial shortcuts to their ambitious journey with Audi.

The details: Like Williams, Sauber has long battled financial constraints. Its past highs include Kimi Räikkönen's standout 2001 season and Robert Kubica's 2008 championship contention under BMW ownership. However, after BMW's exit in 2009, the team largely struggled, facing facility and talent attraction challenges due to lack of investment.

Recent performance updates, including a significant package for the C45 at the Japanese Grand Prix, have begun to pay off. The car, initially poor in dirty air, saw its aerodynamics made less 'peaky', making downforce more accessible. Further updates to the front wing, floor, and rear bodywork in Spain helped Nico Hülkenberg score the team's first points since Australia.

• The revised floor geometry unlocked new development opportunities, leading to further edge changes in Austria and Silverstone.
• Nico Hülkenberg secured his first-ever podium at Silverstone, and Gabriel Bortoleto finished three places ahead of Max Verstappen in Hungary.

What's next: The mood from Hinwil suggests these improvements are just the beginning. Wheatley states that every area of the business, including his own, can improve. The team is on an ambitious journey to transform from a smaller independent outfit into a fully-fledged Audi F1 works team. The internal excitement surrounding future partnerships, like Revolut for 2026, highlights the positive energy within the organization, signaling a promising future.