The Formula 1 driver market is gaining momentum. The rumour mill is heating up, and more and more drivers are being linked to a move to another racing team. The current Sauber duo, Bottas and Zhou, are out of luck it seems as paddock whispers indicate they already have had significant decisions made for them.
Formula 1 is a challenging journey for each driver, and the paths of Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas are no exception. Despite coming from very different backgrounds, they found their paths converging at Alfa Romeo Racing, operated by Sauber Motorsport.
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Bottas at Sauber
In 2017, Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team welcomed Valtteri Bottas as a replacement for retiring Nico Rosberg. During his tenure at Mercedes, Bottas played a pivotal role as a solid number two driver to Lewis Hamilton, contributing to the team’s constructors’ championship victories.
In 2022, Bottas made the shift to Sauber, influenced by the team’s growing potential and changes within Mercedes. Bottas’ experience was the perfect fit for Sauber’s ambitions to climb further up the grid in a period of rebuilding. He provided the team with a new challenge as a driver that had just left a top team in Mercedes, and a valuable opportunity to develop its leadership.
At Sauber, he has been pivotal in developing the car and providing valuable feedback to engineers, which is crucial for a team looking to climb up the ranks. Bottas’ consistent performance, often scoring points, has been vital during races where reliability and strategy have varied widely across teams.
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Arrival of Zhou
Zhou secured multiple wins and podiums in F2, which put him on the radar of Formula 1 teams. His recruitment by Sauber in 2022 marked a significant milestone, not only for him but for motorsport in China, making him the first full-time Chinese Formula 1 driver.
His arrival in Formula 1 has attracted significant attention, bringing new fans and sponsors to the team. On the circuit, Zhou’s rookie season showed promising signs of growth, with flashes of speed and a learning curve typical of a Formula 1 newcomer.
The pairing of Bottas and Zhou has created a balanced team dynamic at Sauber. Bottas, with his calm demeanor and strategic thinking, complements Zhou’s eager and aggressive driving style. This synergy has allowed Sauber to optimise their race strategies, leveraging Bottas’ experience and Zhou’s adaptability.
But despite these positives, the team failed to make a big and consistent push up the grid, ultimately leading to questions about the driver pairing.
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Audi buys Sauber
Audi’s decision to enter Formula One through the acquisition of the Sauber team is driven by a number of strategic considerations. As a brand, Audi has always been synonymous with innovation and success in motorsport, particularly in the World Rally Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, Formula 1, often regarded as the pinnacle of motorsport, represents a new challenge and opportunity for the brand.
The timing of Audi’s entry is particularly significant, coinciding with the sport’s shift towards more sustainable technologies, including the introduction of new engine regulations aimed at using 100% sustainable fuels. This aligns perfectly with Audi’s commitment to sustainability and its broader corporate strategy to embrace electrification and reduce carbon emissions across its product range.
Sauber Motorsport, with its decades-long presence in Formula 1, is an ideal platform for Audi. Known for its engineering excellence and efficient operations, Sauber offers Audi a solid foundation from which to launch its F1 project. Sauber’s existing facilities in Hinwil, Switzerland, are state-of-the-art and their experience in aerodynamics and chassis development is a valuable asset.
In addition, Sauber’s past collaborations with major car manufacturers and their recent competitive resurgence make them an attractive partner. For Audi, this acquisition is not just about branding, but about using Sauber’s technical capabilities and existing infrastructure to accelerate its competitive development in Formula One.
Bottas & Zhou no future Audi team.
The “F1 Insider” website reports that Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou will be fired from Sauber at the end of the season. Neither the Finn nor the Chinese has a future with the racing team, which will compete in Formula 1 under the Ingolstadt Audi brand from 2026.
It was only a matter of time before one driver was expelled from Sauber. The fact that both pilots have to leave is no surprise, but it was unexpected at this point.
At Sauber/Audi, there is only supposed to be clarity with one successor: Nico Hülkenberg. “Sport1” reported on Wednesday that the German had agreed with the team to work together from 2025.
In addition to Hülkenberg, Sauber/Audi want Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz. However, the Spaniard has not yet made a decision about his future. Sainz has already confirmed discussions with other racing teams.
In addition to Sainz, the two current Alpine drivers Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly will also be on the market. The sporting crisis and the personnel loss will undoubtedly lead to a completely new beginning for the French factory team after the 2024 season.
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Schumacher: Bottas and Zhou not good enough
Former driver Ralf Schumacher has no doubt that Bottas and Zhou are being let go by Sauber/Audi. The “Sky” expert is quoted by “F1 Insider” as saying: “Bottas is past his prime and Guanyu is not good enough at the end of the day.”
Schumacher also described the Hülkenberg/Sainz duo as the optimal solution for Audi. The team has apparently already implemented at least part of this plan. It’s clear that Sainz will also follow the call from Ingolstadt.
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No Mercedes inability to give Lewis a good car is hampering his ability to win an eighth championship. Mercedes has done nothing but let Lewis down. Total wolf is not a manager of people, he is a manager of money. No one wants to work for him, the whole outfit at Brackley,couldn’t design a golf ball. And next Bottas is the worst driver and was a horrible teammate to Lewis. Other drivers like Sergio Perez who will block for his teammate,is something that Lewis never had. Valteri would let people go by with relative ease, when he should have been blocking. I’m glad he’s not in the line
You are a delusional fanboy clown.