As Audi-Sauber looks ahead to its 2025 campaign, the Swiss outfit finds itself grappling with a crucial decision: whether to opt for the stability of an experienced veteran to race alongside Nico Hulkenberg or take a chance on a promising young talent.
With Audi transitioning into a full works team in 2026, the choice holds significant implications for the team’s long-term strategy.
The German manufacturer had initially set its sights on securing Carlos Sainz to partner Hulkenberg for 2025. However, amid concerns over the team’s competitiveness, Sainz made the unexpected decision to join Williams instead, leaving Audi-Sauber to reconsider its options.
Mattia Binotto, who has been placed in charge of Audi’s F1 project, has identified resolving Sauber’s driver driver dilemma as one of his top priorities as he settles into his new role.
“It's a couple of weeks I'm there, so it's early for me. But it's definitely something that we need to judge: are we going for experience or something else?” Binotto told the media last weekend in Monza.
“This is a project which is looking to a long-term objective, so [the question is] what's the best for us from now to the final goal?
“Is it more having short term experience and then moving to something different? We need to decide and today I think we are not in the position to answer.
“We are certainly listening to all potential drivers. We are certainly evaluating what the pros and the cons are for the best compromise.”
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While incumbent Valtteri Bottas remains a strong contender for a contract extension, the team is also considering several younger drivers.
Theo Pourchaire, Audi-Sauber's reserve driver, and Gabriel Bortoleto, a rising star in Formula 2, have also been earmarked as potential candidates, while Mick Schumacher and Liam Lawson have also been linked to the team for 2025.
"Theo is our reserve driver today, so somehow he's already part of the family, and no doubt that he's in our list,” said Binotto.
“Gabriel is doing very well today in F2, I think he has shown to be a great talent, and certainly we are looking to what he's doing – as we are looking to many others. I don't see these are the only names on which we are focusing our attention.
“There are many names in the list, with great potential, great expertise, great experience. Again, it's a matter of we need to judge what's most important for us in the short, medium and long term, and go for a clear plan - which today I do not have really an answer for now.”
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With Sauber’s current performance level in F1 deemed “unacceptable” by Audi’s top brass, Binotto stressed the importance of resolving the team’s driver issues swiftly to avoid ongoing speculation becoming a distraction for the Hinwil squad.
“We will decide as soon as possible, no doubt, because we need to set up the team for next year and for the future,” he added.
“We need to, as well, stop any speculations, because it is not in our interest. But so far, there is no decision on what will be best.”
The team's choice will likely set the tone for its approach to the future, as it seeks to navigate the challenging path of rebuilding and securing competitive results ahead of Audi’s full takeover in 2026.
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