The Audi-owned Sauber Method 1 staff has admitted to going through a youth versus expertise dilemma over its driver alternative for subsequent 12 months, because it ponders what’s finest for the long run.
The German producer had hoped to lure Carlos Sainz for 2025 to grow to be team-mate to Nico Hulkenberg, because it transitions to grow to be a full works staff from 2026.
Nevertheless, amid uncertainty in regards to the competitiveness of the venture, Sainz elected to hitch Williams as an alternative.
Newly appointed Audi COO and CTO Mattia Binotto has singled out checking out the motive force state of affairs as one among his first duties, and is keen to get the matter sorted as quickly as attainable.
Nevertheless, he says that earlier than committing, he must agree with Audi chiefs whether or not it goes for a well-established driver like Valtteri Bottas, or goes for a teen like its reserve Theo Pourchaire or rising F2 star Gabriel Bortoleto.
Talking about his ideas on the motive force alternative for 2025, Binotto mentioned: “It is a few weeks I am there, so it is early for me.
“But it surely’s positively one thing that we have to decide: are we going for expertise or one thing else?
“It is a venture which is trying to a long run goal, so [the question is] what’s one of the best for us from now to the ultimate objective?

Audi CEO Gernot Dollner and Mattia Binotto, CEO and CTO, Stake F1 Crew KICK Sauber
Photograph by: Motorsport Photographs
“Is it extra having quick time period expertise after which transferring to one thing totally different? We have to resolve and right this moment I feel we’re not within the place to reply.
“We’re actually listening to all potential drivers. We’re actually evaluating what the professionals and the cons are for one of the best compromise.”
Binotto mentioned the staff didn’t wish to wait too lengthy earlier than making a name, as there have been wider points in lifting efficiency that it couldn’t afford to get distracted from.
“We are going to resolve as quickly as attainable, little doubt, as a result of we have to arrange the staff for subsequent 12 months and for the long run,” he mentioned.
“We have to, as nicely, cease any speculations, as a result of it’s not in our curiosity. However up to now, there isn’t any determination on what can be finest.”
Whereas incumbent Bottas is understood to be favourite to be given a contract extension, the staff says that younger drivers Pourchaire and Bortoleto have their possibilities too. Nevertheless, they don’t seem to be the one ones into account.
Mick Schumacher and Liam Lawson have additionally been linked to the Sauber staff previously too.
Binotto added: “Theo is our reserve driver right this moment, so someway he is already a part of the household, and little doubt that he is in our listing.

Valtteri Bottas, Stake F1 Crew KICK Sauber C44
Photograph by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Photographs
“Gabriel is doing very nicely right this moment in F2, I feel he has proven to be an ideal expertise, and definitely we want to what he is doing – as we want to many others.
“I do not see these are the one names on which we’re focusing our consideration. There are lots of names within the listing, with nice potential, nice experience, nice expertise.
“Once more, it is a matter of we have to decide what’s most essential for us within the quick, medium and long run, and go for a transparent plan – which right this moment I don’t have actually a solution for now.”
Talking completely to Autosport about his F1 prospects, Pourchaire mentioned that after successful the F2 title final 12 months, he didn’t know what extra he might do to indicate he deserved a grand prix seat.
“I am asking myself this query, too,” he mentioned. “You understand, day-after-day. I do not know.
“I did my finest on the monitor. For certain, some individuals say that successful the championship within the third 12 months in F2 isn’t trying nice.
“However I gained it once I was 20 years previous. I am the youngest ever race winner in F2, in F3 – so I haven’t got to show something on the monitor.
“I simply want a possibility. That is it.”
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