Bottas: Audi investment can take Sauber to the top

©AlfaRomeo

Valtteri Bottas believes that his current Alfa Romeo F1-Sauber team has the potential to become a top-preforming outfit in F1 if it wisely utilizes Audi's investment in the Hinwil squad.

Audi is set to acquire a majority stake in Sauber as it fulfills its ambitions of joining the grid in Formula 1 from 2026.

The Ingolstadt firm will develop a new-generation engine at its new Neuburg factory while the Hinwil squad will design the chassis that will be powered by Audi's hybrid engine in three years.

But in the interim, Bottas is convinced that Sauber's current foundation, strengthened by Audi's investment, can propel the Swiss outfit towards the front of the field.

"Absolutely, all of the potential is there that I’ve seen with the people," Bottas told RACER.

"It feels like quite a young team and there’s lots of people that think outside the box, which is good. Facilities at the factory are great, the wind tunnel is great…

"For sure it is on the smaller side as a team in terms of the people if you compare it to Red Bull or Mercedes, but I know there will be progress made on that, so having a few more people and maybe a bit more money will make a difference.

"For example, on the production of the parts, the lead times (in 2022) were quite long — fixing that kind of thing can make a big difference for the season."

Read also: Audi sets out three-year plan to be 'competitive' in F1

While Sauber can boost its prospects thanks to Audi, Bottas himself is also leveraging his experience and knowledge with Mercedes to help his team move forward.

"Of course I’ve tried to take everything from my past experience, whether it’s technical or whether it’s operational," he said. "That was I think a bigger thing in the first half of the year.

"Always when I saw something I’d say, ‘The guys on the other side of the paddock think like this.’ But even mechanically in the car I was able to implement some setup tools that I used to have in previous cars but not in last year’s car.

"So of course you take all the experience you can."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.