On May 3, 2024, at the Miami International Autodrome during practice for the Miami Grand Prix, the Sauber F1 team continued to face severe scrutiny for its lackluster performance throughout the 2024 season. Despite considerable talent within their lineup, including drivers Zhou Guanyu, 24, and Valtteri Bottas, the team has yet to score any points in this year’s Grands Prix leading up to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. This positions Sauber as the only team without points so far, an anomaly that has drawn sharp criticism from notable figures in the sport.
Former F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve did not mince words, asserting that Sauber appears to be “just surviving until Audi takes over.” He went further to say, “They don’t seem like they’re pushing much into the car. They’re not even trying to be that competitive, so, there’s not much to say there.” This brutal assessment underscores a sentiment shared by many in the paddock—that Sauber’s current form is woefully inadequate for the standards of Formula 1.
Sauber’s struggles can partly be attributed to a lack of upgrades and developmental stagnancy. The ongoing ownership transition as Audi prepares to complete its takeover by 2026 has seemingly put a halt on significant progress within the team. While traditional powerhouses continue to innovate and improve, Sauber appears to be in a holding pattern, compromising performance on the track.
The management overhaul introduced by Audi signifies a bid to rejuvenate the team’s fortunes. Andreas Seidl and Oliver Hoffmann have been replaced by Mattia Binotto, a former Ferrari team principal known for his technical acumen, now taking on the dual role of CEO and CTO. Additionally, Jonathan Wheatley, previously with Red Bull, is slated to join as team principal mid-next year. Binotto acknowledges the dire state of affairs but remains focused on the future: “We cannot afford it. I think this is the team that has to become, in the future, a winning team. And the only way to do that is starting to move up, progressing. We need to train our muscles for the future. So, yes, I think we need certainly to improve. That’s important for ourselves, that’s important for the team. It’s important for the brand. It’s important for our partners. And we cannot somehow accept the current position.”
Currently, Zhou Guanyu’s best finish this season has been P11 in Australia, while Bottas was robbed of potential points in China due to an engine issue. The standings reflect their struggles, with Bottas in P22 and Zhou in P20, starkly highlighting Sauber’s tail-end position in the standings.
Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz highlighted an intriguing aspect: “I mean the funny thing is about Sauber is that they’re at the back more or less every qualifying and more or less every race, but you look at the times, the grid is so close, it’s only about a second, maybe a second-and-a-half that they’re off pole. So, it’s obviously not a bad car, it’s just compared to everybody else it is.” This statement underscores the tight competition in F1, where even small performance gaps can result in significant differences in race outcomes.
For Sauber, the immediate road ahead is a grueling one. With the introduction of new leadership and potential incremental upgrades, the team must strive to close the gap with their competitors or risk further stagnation. Binotto’s plans for structural improvement and enhanced performance are pivotal if the team is to transform into a competitive outfit ahead of Audi’s full acquisition in 2026.
As we look towards the remainder of the season and beyond, Sauber’s journey will be one watched with keen interest. The management and drivers have a monumental task ahead of them to reclaim a competitive edge on the grid, and their ability to execute this turnaround will not only define their future but also set the stage for Audi’s ambitious entry into Formula 1.
