Sauber transition reportedly ‘not going particularly smoothly’

The grand vision of Audi's Formula 1 entry, set to materialize in 2026 through the transformation of Sauber, is reportedly encountering a turbulent reality.

As the Swiss-based team trudges through its final year before morphing into its owner’s works outfit, a grand vision of German engineering dominance looms on the horizon.

Yet, beneath the surface, the transition appears to be faltering according to Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft, who paints a picture of a team grappling with more than just a new identity.

The signing of Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg was meant to signal intent, a seasoned hand to steer Sauber toward its Audi future. But even that move, a rare flicker of hope, has been overshadowed by instability.

“Since he signed, the CEO has changed. Andreas Seidl brought him in,” commented Crofty, referencing Seidl’s exit and replacement by former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto.

“They are without a team principal until April,” Croft adds, a stark reminder that the team’s helm sits empty at a time when direction is desperately needed. The clock is ticking toward 2026, but the road ahead is shrouded in fog.

A Turbulent Transition

Last year, Sauber languished at the back of the grid, their car a relic of unfulfilled promises. Drivers Guanyu Zhou and Valtteri Bottas bore the brunt, their seats sacrificed as the team reset for a brighter dawn.

Now, with Hulkenberg and the promising Gabriel Bortoleto – a Brazilian talent poised to draw sponsorship – there’s a glimmer of renewal in the garage. Yet, Croft tempers any optimism.

“From everything you hear it’s not going particularly smoothly, in terms of the transition to Audi,” he added. “I hope this is a year for Sauber, their last in F1, where they have a better year.”

It’s a hope tinged with doubt, as at the heart of the trouble, Croft argues, lies not in the drivers or the car, but in a deeper, more insidious flaw.

“One of the problems that the Audi project has is the location,” he explains, zeroing in on a factor too long ignored. Hinwil, nestled in the breathtaking but isolating embrace of Switzerland, is a double-edged sword.

“Hinwil, as spectacular as Switzerland is, is not a great place to attract staff to. Switzerland is expensive, and you’re uprooting people,” Croft says, his voice cutting through the romantic veneer of alpine vistas.

The cost of living, the upheaval of families – it’s a barrier as formidable as any mountain range.

The Talent Conundrum

Audi’s belated response only deepens the unease.

“They are now announcing that they need a base in the UK to make better use of talent,” Croft states, a revelation that arrives like a confession too late.

“I am surprised that didn’t happen two years ago. Surprised it wasn’t on the radar. Persuading people to move to Switzerland, to uproot their families, is not an easy thing to do.

“Getting the right people in is half the battle.”

Without the right minds, the right hands, Audi risks building a dream on sand. The stakes are higher than mere pride.

“We don’t know how good, or not, their engine will be. But there’s pressure on Audi to not be a back of the grid team,” Croft warns, his words a grim echo of Sauber’s recent past.

A manufacturer of Audi’s stature cannot afford to stumble into F1 as a footnote. Hulkenberg’s experience, his knack for coaxing potential from a car, offers a lifeline.

“Hulkenberg, I hope his experience and ability to develop a car, will be a massive asset to that team,” Croft says, clinging to the veteran’s pedigree.

“Gabriel Bortoleto is a good choice alongside him. He’s a fine driver who will attract sponsorship from Brazil,” Croft adds, a rare note of brightness in this dour tale.

• Read also: Hulkenberg foresees 'building year' for Sauber but aiming for points

Sauber’s final season under its own name should be a swan song, a chance to bow out with dignity before the German giant takes the reins. Instead, it’s setting up as a slog through uncertainty, a battle against geography, leadership gaps, and the ticking clock.

Will Hulkenberg and Bortoleto’s arrival spark a turnaround? Can Audi rally the talent it needs to rise above the grid’s tail end?

For now, the answers drift like smoke, elusive and out of reach, as Sauber’s farewell year unfolds in a haze of doubt.

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