Kick Sauber — The Swiss Takeoff, Audi Launchpad (2025)
1. Origins & Evolution
Sauber Motorsport, founded by Peter Sauber in 1970, first competed in F1 in 1993. From its sportscar roots and F1 endurance, through partnerships with BMW and Alfa Romeo, the team now races as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber in 2025—its final identity before becoming Audi’s works team in 2026. (Wikipedia)
2. Ownership & Leadership Transition
-
Team Chief: Jonathan Wheatley, the former Red Bull Sporting Director, took the helm in April 2025, marking a clear shift toward Audi-aligned leadership. (Wikipedia)
-
Technical Chief: James Key oversees chassis and aero direction, backed by Mattia Binotto, now acting as Chief Technical & Operating Officer, responsible for overall technical strategy. (Wikipedia)
-
Audi has already finalized its acquisition of Sauber, with full control completed in January 2025. (Wikipedia)
3. 2025 Challenger — The C45
-
The C45 marks a significant aerodynamic revision from its predecessor, the C44. It features reworked suspension, cooling structures, and weight optimization. (Wikipedia)
-
Upgrades began rolling out aggressively: a mid-season kit debuted in Spain, followed by further updates in Austria and Britain. (Wikipedia)
4. Driver Pairing — Experience Meets Youth
-
Nico Hülkenberg, the veteran who joined from Haas, provides steady, reliable racecraft. (Reuters)
-
Gabriel Bortoleto, the 20-year-old Brazilian F2 champion, becomes the first full-time Brazilian F1 driver since Felipe Massa. He joins via both McLaren’s academy and Fernando Alonso’s management. (Reuters)
5. Mid-Season Turnaround & Breakthrough
-
Hülkenberg captured his maiden F1 podium at the British GP, finishing P3 in a rain-affected race—ending Sauber’s podium drought since 2012. (Wikipedia)
-
Earlier Spanish upgrades lifted him to P5 (after penalties), and both drivers locked in solid finishes in Canada and Austria. Bortoleto even made Q3 and secured points in Austria. (Wikipedia)
Sauber Team Black F1 Kick Hat
Show your support for the Sauber Team in style with this sleek black kick hat, perfect for any F1 fan
Product information
€46.92 €25.58
Product Review Score
4.54 out of 5 stars
211 reviewsProduct links
6. Strengths & Challenges
Strengths:
-
A refreshed technical direction under Wheatley, Key, and Binotto.
-
Rapid development trajectory via aggressive upgrades.
-
Driver balance: raw rookie potential meets seasoned stability.
Weaknesses:
-
Early-season stiffness and aero flow issues compromised initial pace.
-
Transition year before full Audi integration—2025 is foundation, not acclaim.
-
Still behind the big guns—momentum is there, but so is the gap.
7. My Unvarnished Take
2025 is Sauber’s “quiet revolution.” The C45 upgrade path is real, podiums are real, and the Audi infrastructure is fueling real ambition. If they lock this pace down and avoid mid-season slips, 2026 could arrive with them already in top-tier territory. But if upgrade momentum stalls, the Audi factory era may begin with a shrug rather than a roar.
Snapshot — Kick Sauber (2025)
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Team Name | Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber |
| Based at | Hinwil, Switzerland |
| Team Chief | Jonathan Wheatley |
| Technical Chief / CTO | James Key / Mattia Binotto |
| Car | C45 (major aero & mechanical upgrades) |
| Engine | Ferrari PU |
| Drivers | Nico Hülkenberg & Gabriel Bortoleto |
| Season Highlights | Podium at British GP, rapid mid-season upgrades |
| Transition | Final season before Audi works era (2026) |
