Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle says “something has to change” at Sauber, and has often questioned its existence as a Formula 1 team.
Sauber ended its title partnership in 2023 with Italian car manufacturer Alfa Romeo by finishing down in ninth in the Constructors’ standings, with only Haas placed lower.
Since entering the sport in 1993, the Swiss-based outfit has largely been a midfield or back-of-the-grid runner and a proving ground for young talent.
Brundle called Sauber’s lengthy history toward the back of the grid into question, speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Review Show.
“They’ve shown some pace from time to time, not so much this season as last year,” he said.
“But particularly with Valtteri Bottas I think it’s a solid set-up, let’s call it Sauber, I’ve always wondered kind of why they existed, what they were aiming for, where’s the goal when with other teams it’s quite clear what they’re trying to do.
“But it’s a serious team based in Switzerland, they’ll launch the car in Great Britain in 2024.
“I wouldn’t underestimate them but they just seem to spin their wheels around the same place in the World Championships.
“So, something needs to change, that change could of course well be Audi progressively taking the team over ready for a 2026 onslaught.”
Following Alfa Romeo’s departure, the team will be officially titled Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber for the 2024 and 2025 seasons ahead of its transition into a works Audi entry.
Sauber will be hoping that the Audi takeover in 2026 will have a similar effect on the team’s fortunes as the BMW takeover did all the way back in 2006.
With BMW in control of proceedings, the Hinwil-based outfit had its most competitive period.
Robert Kubica claimed the team’s solitary victory at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix while maintaining an outside challenge for the Drivers’ title.
However, there have been some questions over Audi’s commitment to its long-awaited journey into F1, with rumours even suggesting the German marque was considering a hasty retreat from its 2026 entry.
But talks of an exit have been routinely denied by Audi, with new CEO Gernot Dollner recently reaffirming the brand’s commitment to the F1 project.
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