I would like to express my gratitude to Sauber for their approach in revealing the C44 race car. Unlike Williams, who opted for a simple livery reveal, Sauber has taken inspiration from Red Bull and McLaren to create a distinctive design. Although the car is not yet a final product, its redesign is clearly influenced by these two teams.
Sauber is currently in their first season with Stake as their sole title sponsor. In anticipation of Audi taking over in 2026, they have made the decision to create a car that stands out in every aspect. This is evident in their choice of a fluo green and black livery. The fluo racing green is a vibrant and eye-catching color that is sure to make a statement on the track. Sauber has emphasized that this colorway is not a tribute to the past, but rather a representation of their exciting future. It’s as if NASCAR sponsors have taken on the task of designing Sauber’s livery.
The C44 race car looks impressive and raises the question of why more F1 teams don’t adopt high-contrasting liveries. The choice of a bright shade of green was an obvious one, so why not consider bright yellow or even purple or pink? It’s just a thought, but it could add some excitement to the grid.
James Key, the technical director, acknowledges that the C44 project was already underway before he joined the team. He commends the team for their fantastic work in developing the car. The front suspension has been completely redesigned, transitioning from a push-rod to a pull-rod design similar to Red Bull and McLaren. This change is expected to result in aerodynamic improvements. Additionally, the aero package has necessitated the redesign of various internal components. Although not visible yet, there will also be a completely new floor.
The C44 will make its first appearance on the track during a filming day in Barcelona before the preseason testing in Bahrain from February 21-23. As for their performance this year, Sauber hopes for better results. In the 2023 F1 season, they finished second-to-last in the Constructors Standings with only 16 points. They were 4 points ahead of Haas and 9 points behind AlphaTauri, placing them in a rather stagnant position.