During the Saudi Arabian GP, an incident involving Lance Stroll presented a significant moment for teams that have not yet scored points. Sauber’s performance this season has been less impressive, and rumors have been circulating about possible changes in their driver lineup. It has been suggested that Valtteri Bottas may leave by the end of 2023.
Looking ahead to their transformation into Audi in 2026 under the leadership of Andreas Seidl, Sauber is generating anticipation regarding new driver pairings and strategies. Christian Menath, a journalist from the YouTube channel Motorsport-Magazin, shed light on possible changes within the Swiss team, indicating dissatisfaction with their current drivers.
Despite the lack of points this season, Sauber, soon to be renamed Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, faces a challenging path ahead. The competitive gap has widened, making it difficult for teams like Sauber to break into the top ten. However, an opportunity arose during the Saudi Arabian GP after Lance Stroll’s accident, which Haas took advantage of, securing a point for Nico Hulkenberg and catching Sauber’s attention with their strategic move.
Seidl, a fan of Hulkenberg, considers him a possible replacement for Zhou, suggesting the possibility of changes in the lineup. Menath stated that Sauber is not entirely satisfied with their current drivers and that there may be two vacancies to be filled. This indicates that Sauber’s ambitions, especially with their future partnership with Audi, may lean towards a team that does not rely on paying drivers, signaling a significant shift in their approach.
The situation involving Bottas remains uncertain. His former team, Williams, has postponed the confirmation of their driver lineup, suggesting a possible opportunity for Bottas if he becomes available. Now, Bottas faces the challenge of proving his worth to Sauber in the remaining races to secure his position for next season. If he needs to move on, there is the possibility of seeking new opportunities or focusing on other interests.
Source: https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/formula-1-team-boss-wanted-to-get-rid-of-225-race-driver-at-the-end-of-2023/
