The Sauber-owned Stake F1 team, set to rebrand as Audi in 2026, is already making waves with its future driver lineup decisions. As the German manufacturer prepares to enter Formula 1 as a works team, its current season has been marked by struggles at the back of the grid, with neither Zhou Guanyu nor Valtteri Bottas managing to score a point so far in 2024. With just six races remaining, the Hinwil-based team remains at the bottom of the constructors’ championship standings.
However, the team’s recent moves signal a desire for future success. Nico Hulkenberg, currently performing well, will join the team in 2025 as they aim to become podium contenders before Audi’s full entry. Additionally, former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has been appointed as chief technical officer, while Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley will take over as team principal in 2026.
Audi’s Driver Lineup Sparks Controversy
Recent reports suggest that Sauber/Audi has finalized its 2025 driver lineup, opting to retain Bottas alongside Hulkenberg. This decision has raised eyebrows, especially after rumors circulated that young talents like Franco Colapinto, Mick Schumacher, and Gabriel Bortoleto were in the running for the second seat.
According to Bild, the team will part ways with Zhou Guanyu, keeping Bottas on board despite his lackluster season. This has sparked criticism from Red Bull’s Helmut Marko, who expressed his disappointment in Audi’s conservative approach, particularly in their decision not to give Schumacher a chance to return to the grid.
Marko: “Schumacher’s F1 Career Might Be Over”
Marko didn’t hold back, criticizing Audi for missing an opportunity to take a risk on a young driver like Schumacher, who has now spent two seasons away from Formula 1. He suggested that Audi’s 2025 car would not be under significant pressure to win races, making it an ideal scenario for a promising talent to develop alongside Hulkenberg.
“I don’t understand the decision if they’re choosing to keep Bottas,” Marko told Sport.de. “It would have been the perfect opportunity for Mick Schumacher to make his comeback without immediate expectations. If Schumacher doesn’t get this seat, I believe his F1 career is over.”
Marko also hinted that Schumacher’s future might lie outside Formula 1, noting his success in endurance racing. “If he doesn’t find a seat in F1, he should focus on something where he enjoys the challenge and has a chance to win.”
With Audi set to take over the Sauber team in just a couple of years, all eyes are on how the team will evolve both on and off the track. For now, though, the decision to stick with experienced drivers over young, rising talents continues to fuel debate in the paddock.
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