The winds of change are blowing through the Sauber Formula 1 team as newly-appointed team principal Mattia Binotto sets his sights on determining the squad’s driver lineup for the 2025 season by mid-November. This decision comes as Sauber prepares for a momentous partnership with Audi, set to commence in 2026.
Binotto, who joined Sauber in August after a lengthy stint with Ferrari, is no stranger to the challenges of transforming a struggling team into a championship contender. Drawing parallels to his early days at Ferrari in the mid-1990s, Binotto recognizes the task at hand, stating, “To become a winning team in Formula 1, that’s the aim, that’s the objective.”
Building a Foundation for Success
The Swiss-based outfit currently finds itself at the bottom of the constructor standings, having failed to score a point in over a year. However, Binotto remains confident in his ability to steer the team in the right direction, leveraging his experience from Ferrari’s golden era under the leadership of Jean Todt, Michael Schumacher, and Ross Brawn.
You may say that the journey here can be even more difficult, I don’t know. To become a winning team in Formula 1 that’s the aim, that’s the objective.
– Mattia Binotto, Sauber Team Principal
A Long Road Ahead
Binotto acknowledges that the path to success is a marathon, not a sprint. With Audi’s arrival in 2026, the team has set a target of fighting for the championship by the end of the decade. “Normally it’s from five to seven years,” Binotto explained, highlighting the time required to establish solid foundations and build a winning team.
The Driver Dilemma
As Sauber looks to the future, the question of who will pilot their cars in 2025 looms large. While Nico Hülkenberg is already confirmed for next season and 2026, the identity of his teammate remains a mystery. Top target Carlos Sainz recently opted for Williams, leaving Sauber to weigh the merits of experience versus youth.
Current driver Valtteri Bottas brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, while rising stars like Mick Schumacher, Franco Colapinto, and Gabriel Bortoleto offer the promise of fresh energy and potential. Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu, though an outside prospect, could also be in the mix.
We will need to come to a decision I would say before mid-November. I think it’s because of fairness towards individuals, as well as us as a team to start switching to look at the future and building and developing the future.
– Mattia Binotto on the driver decision timeline
The Road to 2025 and Beyond
As Sauber embarks on this new chapter, the pieces of the puzzle are beginning to fall into place. With Binotto at the helm and a clear vision for the future, the team is poised to make significant strides in the coming years. The driver lineup decision, expected by mid-November, will be a crucial step in shaping the team’s identity and trajectory.
Formula 1 fans and pundits alike will be keeping a close eye on Sauber as the team navigates the challenges ahead. With the Audi partnership on the horizon and a renewed sense of purpose, Sauber is ready to write a new chapter in its storied history. The road to 2025 and beyond promises to be an exhilarating journey, filled with twists, turns, and the potential for greatness.
