In a stunning slip-up, Sauber’s 2025 Formula 1 livery may have been accidentally leaked by sponsor CODE-ZERO, giving fans an early glimpse of the team’s final look before Audi takes full control in 2026. The reveal, spotted on CODE-ZERO’s official website under its ‘Teamwear 2025’ section, showcases a black and neon green color scheme—an evolution of last season’s striking design.
Adding fuel to the fire, the leaked images prominently feature Sauber’s new driver lineup of Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, marking a new chapter for the embattled team following a brutal 2024 campaign that saw both Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas cut loose after a season of frustration.
Final Chapter Before the Audi Era Begins
The 2025 season marks the last time fans will see the Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber branding, as Audi’s highly anticipated takeover looms in 2026. But before that seismic shift, Sauber is undergoing a complete transformation, with Mattia Binotto—former Ferrari boss—now steering the ship.
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Binotto isn’t wasting any time. After joining last August, he uncovered a team in crisis, revealing it was “frozen” in development, solely focused on the 2026 transition while neglecting short-term competitiveness. His philosophy? Fighting now is crucial to future success.
“A team needs to always fight on track. It’s only by competing that you understand performance, weaknesses, and strengths. When I joined in August, it was a team that was almost frozen.”
The Code-Zero website has given us a first look of the Sauber team kit for 2025 👀
Binotto’s aggressive restructuring is already taking shape. His biggest power move? Poaching Red Bull’s sporting director Jonathan Wheatley to become Sauber’s new team principal. Wheatley, a key architect behind Red Bull’s dominant era, will officially take the reins on April 1, forming a dual leadership powerhouse alongside Binotto.
Can Sauber Break Free from Its 2024 Nightmare?
The 2024 season was a disaster for Sauber, with the team managing a measly four points, crippled by a lack of meaningful car development. But Binotto is determined to reverse course, insisting that the team’s future success hinges on momentum from the present.
“It wasn’t just about not finishing with zero points. It was about defining the right development path for next season—and staying energized through winter.”
With a fresh driver lineup, a new management structure, and Audi’s looming arrival, Sauber is no longer content with being F1’s forgotten team. The CODE-ZERO leak might just be a glimpse of something bigger—a team preparing for a radical transformation.
Now, all eyes are on Sauber’s official launch. Will the leaked livery be the real deal? Or is something even bolder on the horizon? One thing is clear: the clock is ticking on Sauber’s final year before Audi takes over—and they’re ready to fight.
