From Sauber to Audi:A New Era Begins
The team is already focused on the 2026 season, but the most important change is not in the numbers it is in the mindset. Sauber has regained what it had been missing for years:belief in the future, a clear direction, and renewed momentum.
The revamped driver line-up immediately set a new tone. Experienced Nico Hulkenberg and Formula 2 champion Gabriel Bortoleto became the faces of the reset. In the rain-hit Australian Grand Prix, Hulkenberg scored the team’s first points of the season, and after a difficult run without results, key upgrades introduced in Barcelona effectively brought the car back to life.
What followed was a run of six consecutive points finishes, sixth place in the Constructors’ Championship after Silverstone, and a podium for Hulkenberg. That moment marked a clear dividing line between Sauber’s recent past and the future Audi project.
In his debut season, Bortoleto matched his team-mate’s pace, producing a rare 12–12 tie in qualifying. Race experience ultimately favoured Hulkenberg, who scored 51 points and narrowly missed out on the top ten in the standings. Bortoleto finished with 19 points, but more importantly demonstrated speed, consistency, and clear potential.
The season finale was symbolic and emotional: Peter Sauber said farewell to the team that has competed in Formula 1 since 1993 and taken part in more than 600 Grands Prix. Independent, resilient, and honest in its approach, the team earned its place in the sport’s history.
The Sauber era has come to an end. Audi lies ahead and the expectations are now on a very different level.
