Audi must put pressure now: the time for excuses is over for Sauber

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Until 2026, when Audi joins, Sauber (which has been there since 1993) will certainly no longer be a top team as it used to be with the BMW engine and the only victory in Montreal in 2008 (Robert Kubica for Nick Heidfeld). There isn’t enough manpower for such an exploit. Especially on the side of the engineers, who are still difficult to attract to Hinwil.

Other people are eating the Audi cake

The fact that Kick-Sauber (or whatever you should call the team) is going with Valtteri Bottas (34) and Guanyu Zhou (24) for the third time is a bit discouraging. And the fact that replacement driver Théo Pourchaire (20) is no longer trusted after four years and the Formula 2 title in 2023 says a lot.

To put it more clearly: this trio may still taste the Audi cake this year, but other drivers will be eating the German cake by 2026 at the latest. Bottas must also accept that.

“Keep the ball flat!”

In this year of development it is important that the drivers and team representative Alunni Bravi (48) finally start living with reality. Don’t constantly talk about points and improved updates. As former team owner Peter Sauber (80) said again and again: “You have to keep the ball flat!” The many fans can no longer be fooled in the home news with nice words as the car and the results – such as in 2023 – are getting worse and worse.

Bottas: “Fortunately not permanent”

Only to hear from Bottas at an official media conference towards the end of the season: “We have not made any progress for a year.” And the Finn’s conclusion at the end: “Luckily we didn’t finish last.” In the battle against Haas-Ferrari, 16:12 points were sufficient. With no fewer than 22 World Cup races and six sprint races.

It starts on Thursday in Bahrain. Bottas: “It was a good test, but it will be tight again in midfield. His teammate Zhou, third on the final day of testing, says: “We have to improve.” A year ago, the Chinese were even the fastest in the desert on the second day of testing. So much for the value of the three days of introductory banter.

Scored in Bahrain

In terms of results, the duo were in the race twice at the Bahrain opener. In 2022 there were nine points: 6. Bottas, 10. Zhou. Last year there were four points for the Finn (8th). The Asian finished 16th and started from positions 12 and 13.

Naturally, Audi wants to see its future partner further ahead. The brand from Ingolstadt already has a 25 percent stake in Sauber. In the beginning this should be 75 percent. Yes, the Germans apparently plan to take over the entire share package.

“No chance with 500 people”

The big man (still) in the background is Andreas Seidl (48). The German has to pull the strings for Audi and recruit hundreds of employees for the project. As he once said: “With 500 people you don’t stand a chance!”

Seidl, who was once part of the BMW adventure with Sauber and was team boss at McLaren from 2019 to 2022, is not to be envied by his work. He is under a lot of pressure, but still has to comment on current events.

Bullen chief mechanic at Audi?

Interestingly, Andreas Seidl’s name has also been mentioned as a possible team boss as part of a possible successor to Horner at Red Bull Honda.

Well, Seidl is said to have already signed the chief mechanic of the world champion team to join the Audi team!

Source : Blick