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Valtteri Bottas Sounds the Alarm: Sauber Chassis a Major Concern for Audi’s 2026 F1 Debut

Miguel Cunha by Miguel Cunha
December 15, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Valtteri Bottas Sounds the Alarm: Sauber Chassis a Major Concern for Audi’s 2026 F1 Debut

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 6, 2024 Sauber's Valtteri Bottas during practice REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

Valtteri Bottas has issued a stark warning to Audi as the German marque prepares to take full control of Sauber ahead of their much-anticipated 2026 Formula 1 debut. While Audi has focused heavily on developing its power unit, Bottas believes the true Achilles’ heel of the project lies in the Sauber chassis, which must see significant improvement to make Audi a competitive force.

The Finnish driver, who endured a point-less 2024 season in an underwhelming Sauber car, didn’t mince words about the challenges facing the team. Speaking ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Bottas highlighted the need for a dramatic overhaul on the chassis side to complement Audi’s robust resources and potential.


“The Chassis is My Biggest Worry,” Bottas Admits

Bottas pointed to the disparity between Audi’s heavily funded power unit development and the continued reliance on Sauber for chassis production, which has struggled to keep pace with rivals.

“It’s going to be a big challenge, and they [Audi] know it,” Bottas said. “They’ve been focusing on the power unit side for a long time, and they’ve invested a lot. But my biggest worry is the chassis—it’s not made by Audi, it’s still made by Sauber. So, the chassis side definitely needs improvement.”

While Bottas acknowledged Audi’s resources and potential to succeed, he underscored the steep learning curve they face compared to well-established F1 manufacturers.


Leadership Turnover and Sauber’s Turbulent Transition

Since Audi’s involvement began in 2022, Sauber has undergone a significant leadership reshuffle. Andreas Seidl was installed as CEO, and Fred Vasseur departed for Ferrari in 2023. Technical Director Jan Monchaux left for the FIA, and this summer saw further upheaval, with Seidl and Audi’s Oliver Hoffmann replaced by Mattia Binotto.

Bottas reflected on this period of instability, describing it as chaotic:

“Lots of people have changed—lots of people have got sacked, lots of people have joined. It’s been a mess. To find stability and structure has taken time. Now, it’s finally starting to shape up, but initially, it was quite messy.”


Switzerland’s Recruitment Hurdles

Sauber’s Hinwil base in Switzerland has long struggled with staffing due to the country’s high cost of living, an issue Bottas believes has hampered the team’s growth. However, a recent cost-cap relief granted by F1 and the FIA, designed to balance regional disparities, offers some hope for improving recruitment.

“I hope they find a solution,” Bottas said. “The latest modifications to the budget cap rules for different countries are going to help Sauber a bit. If they can get some positive momentum, then people will be more keen to join. But at the moment, it’s been a challenging start for the brand.”


Mattia Binotto: The Man to Steer the Ship?

The arrival of Mattia Binotto, the former Ferrari team boss, is seen as a potential stabilizing force for Sauber as they transition into Audi’s works team. Binotto’s experience in managing complex technical operations could be pivotal in aligning the team’s efforts on both the power unit and chassis development fronts.

However, with just over a year remaining before Audi’s debut, time is running out to build a competitive package that can challenge the sport’s established giants.


The Path Forward for Audi and Sauber

Audi’s debut in Formula 1 is one of the sport’s most anticipated stories, but the journey is fraught with challenges. While the German automaker is investing heavily in its power unit development, Bottas’s candid assessment highlights the need for a parallel focus on chassis performance—a critical area where Sauber has lagged behind.

The cost-cap relief and leadership changes may provide a boost, but turning Sauber’s Hinwil operation into a competitive force requires more than resources—it demands stability, recruitment of top-tier talent, and cohesive development strategies.

As Bottas summed up, the potential is there, but so are the risks:

“Audi has the resources and the potential, but it’s a monumental task. Everything has to come together—chassis, power unit, staff, and strategy. Without improvement on all fronts, it’s going to be tough to succeed.”

The countdown to 2026 is ticking, and the next 12 months will be critical for Audi’s transformation from a promising newcomer to a competitive contender in Formula 1.

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