Source – Guerin Sportivo
There are two teams with a spot left on the grid for the following season: Sauber and Audi, who will merge in 2026. According to Mattia Binotto, the new boss, filling it is “a top priority.” Who then are they glancing at?
Mattia Binotto’s arrival at Sauber has brought a new wave of energy to the team as they gear up for Audi’s highly anticipated debut in 2026. With Nico Hulkenberg already signed on a long-term deal for next season, the focus has now shifted to securing his teammate. While Hulkenberg’s experience and consistency make him a valuable asset, finding the right partner to complement the German driver has proven to be more challenging than expected.
Initially, Sauber had their eyes set on Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz to pair with Hulkenberg. Sainz, with his strategic acumen and racecraft, would have been a formidable choice, offering a blend of youth and experience that aligned well with Sauber’s long-term goals. However, Sainz opted to join Alex Albon at Williams, forcing Sauber to reconsider their options. This setback came as Mattia Binotto, former Ferrari team principal, was announced as the new head of Sauber, replacing Andreas Seidl. The transition added an element of delay, with Binotto only officially taking the reins on August 1, giving him a mountain of work to address.
Binotto’s top priority is revitalizing Sauber, a team currently struggling at the bottom of the constructors’ standings, with no points to show for their efforts in the 2024 season. While the team’s performance needs a major overhaul, Binotto is fully aware that getting the second driver right is crucial for building momentum ahead of Audi’s full-scale entry into Formula 1.
In his first interview since stepping into his new role, Binotto emphasized the importance of choosing the right teammate for Hulkenberg but stressed the need for a methodical approach rather than rushing into a decision. “It’s certainly a top priority because we need to decide as soon as we can,” Binotto explained. “But we need to make the proper choice. We have no rush in a way.”
This statement reflects the balance Binotto aims to strike. While securing a second driver is urgent, the long-term goals of Audi’s arrival mean the decision must serve not only Sauber’s immediate needs but also their future aspirations. The Italian hinted at having a list of available drivers, but he remains cautious, taking time to explore all options to ensure the best fit for both Sauber and Audi.
“Our journey is looking to the next years, it’s not only 2025,” Binotto continued. “When assessing the choice, we need to look at what is best knowing what we need to achieve in the future.”
One of the names already in the mix is Valtteri Bottas. The Finnish driver has been with Sauber since 2022, and his extensive experience—spanning over a decade in Formula 1, with 10 wins, 67 podium finishes, and 20 pole positions—makes him an attractive option for the team. Bottas has shown his resilience this season despite Sauber’s underwhelming machinery. His conversations with Binotto have gone well, and multiple informal meetings, including coffee sessions and a dinner, have only strengthened his candidacy. While the team’s current struggles suggest that experience could be the key to stabilizing the operation, Bottas’s track record and ability to develop a car could be exactly what Sauber needs.
However, Binotto and Sauber are not putting all their eggs in one basket. While Bottas remains a strong contender, Sauber is also keeping an eye on young talent. With Audi’s debut still two years away, the team is contemplating whether a promising young driver could be a more strategic choice for their long-term vision. Drivers like Gabriel Bortoleto, Robert Shwartzman, Zane Maloney, and Theo Pourchaire—all from the Formula 2 ranks—are serious options.
Bortoleto, currently second in the F2 standings, has caught the eye of McLaren, and talks have reportedly been held between Sauber and McLaren regarding his availability. Meanwhile, Robert Shwartzman, a Ferrari-affiliated driver, remains on Sauber’s radar, particularly after his FP1 outing with the team at Zandvoort. Shwartzman’s inclusion as part of Ferrari’s young driver program makes him a compelling option, offering a blend of youth, talent, and a connection to one of F1’s biggest powerhouses.
Another name on the list is Theo Pourchaire, last year’s F2 champion and a current member of Sauber’s driver academy. His familiarity with the team and the fact that he is already being groomed within the Sauber system make him a natural choice for promotion. Zane Maloney, currently third in the F2 standings, is also part of Sauber’s academy, and his impressive performances have placed him in the running as well.
Selecting a young driver has its advantages for a team like Sauber, which is undergoing a transformation. While experience would help the team in the immediate future as they strive to climb out of the midfield, a youthful, up-and-coming talent offers the promise of development and long-term commitment. As Binotto pointed out, this choice will require compromise. “Ideally, you’d have a rookie who is very talented and has a lot of experience, which doesn’t work, so you need to take a decision that is a compromise to what are the requirements and necessities.”
In the end, the decision comes down to balancing Sauber’s short-term ambitions with their long-term objectives. Binotto acknowledges that chemistry with the team will be just as important as a driver’s on-track performance. “It’s not only that when [a driver is] at a race track, he is just in his own monocoque and driving around the track,” Binotto explained. “It’s also about what is required back at the factory and supporting the team.”
While the team remains thorough in its search, sources suggest that Sauber is leaning toward retaining Bottas. His vast experience could offer the stability the team needs as they prepare for the challenges ahead. However, Sauber’s thorough approach means that nothing is set in stone. Conversations with key stakeholders, including McLaren and Ferrari, are ongoing, and with young talent like Pourchaire and Maloney waiting in the wings, the team has plenty of options.
The pressure is mounting, but Binotto remains confident that the right decision will be made in time. Whether Sauber chooses experience in Bottas or takes a gamble on youth with one of F2’s rising stars, the decision will undoubtedly shape the future of the team as they prepare for the Audi era.
Ultimately, the final decision could come down to a balance between securing immediate results and building for the future. With Hulkenberg already locked in, whoever claims the second seat will need to play a pivotal role in Sauber’s journey from the back of the grid to the forefront of Formula 1 as Audi’s works team.
