During the Saudi Arabian GP, an incident involving Lance Stroll presented a significant moment for the teams that have yet to score. Sauber’s performance this season has been less than impressive, and there have been rumors circulating about potential changes in their driver lineup. It has been suggested that Valtteri Bottas may depart by the end of 2023.
Looking ahead to their transformation into Audi in 2026 under the leadership of Andreas Seidl, Sauber is generating anticipation regarding new driver pairings and strategies. Christian Menath, a journalist from the Motorsport-Magazin YouTube channel, has shed light on the potential shifts within the Swiss team, indicating discontentment with their current drivers.
Despite their lack of points this season, Sauber, soon to be rebranded as the Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, faces a challenging road ahead. The competitive gap has widened, making it difficult for teams like Sauber to break into the top ten. However, an opportunity arose during the Saudi Arabian GP following Lance Stroll’s accident, which Haas took advantage of, earning Nico Hulkenberg a point and capturing Sauber’s attention with their strategic play.
Seidl, an admirer of Hulkenberg, has considered him as a potential replacement for Zhou, suggesting the possibility of lineup changes. Menath stated that Sauber is not entirely satisfied with their current drivers and that there may be two vacant seats to fill. This indicates that Sauber’s ambitions, particularly with their future Audi partnership, may lean towards a team that does not rely on pay drivers, signifying a significant shift in their approach.
The situation surrounding Bottas remains uncertain. His former team, Williams, has postponed confirming their driver lineup, hinting at a potential opportunity for Bottas if he becomes available. Now, Bottas faces the challenge of proving himself to Sauber in the remaining races in order to secure his position for the next season. Should he need to move on, there is the possibility of seeking new opportunities or focusing on other interests.
Source: https://www.f1oversteer.com/news/formula-1-team-boss-wanted-to-get-rid-of-225-race-driver-at-the-end-of-2023/