The mystery man: Who’s taking Sauber’s second seat?
The grid for the 2025 F1 season is shaping up to be an impressive lineup. From multiple world champions and experienced pilots to up and coming wonderkids, it’s building to be an exciting year for the top flight of motorsport. However, one question – if not many questions – are yet to be answered: who will be driving for Sauber?
Kick Sauber’s 2025 driver lineup remains unconfirmed. @stakef1team
Kick Sauber, the successor to previous constructor Alfa Romeo, will be exiting the sport as Audi will debut and replace them on the Formula 1 grid for 2026, alongside with the new illustrious technical regulations. Not only are the German manufacturers motorsport giants in other notable racing categories, the team will also produce their own engine, promising competitiveness right from the get go.
As the initial steps of their plan, current Haas driver Nico Hülkenberg will be driving for the team currently sitting in last for next season, and presumably will resign to officially represent Audi in 2026. Despite Kick Sauber’s ugly performance so far this season – having not recorded a single point – Hülkenberg trusts the project and the people running it to provide his services for them.
Kick Sauber have had a particularly rough season. Currently sitting last in the constructors’ championship with no points to their name, 10-time Grand Prix winner Valtteri Bottas and young Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu have found it hard to raise their stock. With both drivers’ contracts expiring at the end of 2024, options are running out for the pilots.
2024 may be Zhou’s last season in F1 for the time being. © Liauzh, Wikipedia
One candidate for Kick Sauber’s second seat in 2025 is Zhou Guanyu, although it’s unlikely they will resign him. Up to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Zhou has recorded a highest finish of 11th at the first race of the year, and currently sits 20th in the standings. With a lack of competitiveness from his Kick Sauber C44, Zhou has been unable to show his talent with slow machinery.
On the other hand, Valtteri Bottas has had worse luck. He currently sits 22nd in a 20 car championship, only managing a best 13th place finish. Combined with risky strategies not paying off to slow pit stops, it’s proven to be the worst year of Bottas’ racing career. However, numerous rumors have circulated that the Finn will be completing the pairing for the outfit next season, but as we know the rumor mill runs wild and free in the world of F1.
Other notable candidates include young talent, such as Sauber Academy driver and 2023 F2 champion Théo Pourchaire, current F2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto, Argentinian Franco Colapinto who replaced Logan Sargeant at Williams since the Italian Grand Prix, and Liam Lawson, who’ll be replacing Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull’s sister team from the US Grand Prix onwards. Mick Schumacher, former Haas driver and current WEC driver is also a shout, but the man carrying a legendary surname might be considering sitting on the sidelines once more, hoping for a better opportunity.
With already three new rookies set to enter the top tier of motorsport – Italian phenomenon Kimi Antonelli for Mercedes, former F2 championship contender Jack Doohan for Alpine and British super sub Ollie Bearman for Haas – it wouldn’t hurt for another rookie to make their entry. However, Kick Sauber are expecting results next year, and they aren’t likely to sign unproven youngsters, nor are they willing to pay declining drivers.
Up to now, it is still uncertain of who will drive alongside the established German driver for next year, but what is certain is a decision will soon be made as time ticks for the slowest team in F1.
