STAKE F1 TEAM KICK SAUBER

[Aty]

Bottom post of the previous page:

Bottas explained there was correlation error between material temperatures at Sauber mechanical laboratory, and actual at the track.

I say, it would had been good to discover such condition before a season starts in proper testing, but the F1 leadership forbids such luxury.

[Aty]

Drivers:

But with his contract now running out, Hulkenberg is being linked with a move to Audi-owned Sauber - especially given his established working relationship and friendship with Andreas Seidl from their Le Mans days at Porsche. Sauber is clearly not already a top team, but it will be a full works outfit by 2026 with clear ambitions to eventually win races and titles.

https://www.grandprix.com/news/hulkenbe ... ikely.html

I would welcome Hulk's decision to join Sauber next year. They aren't much better off than Haas is, but they have full financial support, and company's resources are gearing up to comparative levels of top teams. There is a hope.

[DoubleFart]

Hulk has a massive amount of experience, having driven V8 F1, V6H F1, Le Mans, A1 GP, GP2... he's also a very safe pair of hands.

I think he's an excellent signing for any mid grid team looking to create a new structure.

[Aty]

Checking up individual performances between Nico and Kevin, I am assuming Haas might be interested to launch negotiations with Hulk asap before someone else grabs him. I am of course not privy what is Andreas planning, but if it includes his compatriot, than he should hurry up. Kevin for some reason cannot find much in that car of his. It looks bad, but I think he is a nick better than his score is at the moment.

[Aty]

Motosport image

Fans want you, whilst Audi want and needs you!

[Aty]

D/T 2024-04-15 10:05 (CEST)

In re: selection of Sauber/Audi drivers

Neither Nico nor Carlos are committed to Audi as yet. Nico revealed that he has several offers to choose from, and Carlos has (I read) until the end of this month to sign up with Sauber 2025. If he chooses not to, what then?

It is safe to presume that Toto knows Sainz's critical dates, and Carlos wants the drive with him. Will that happen? Good chance it will.

So, as far as Audi is concerned, nothing is a "sure thing."

As a plan C, Audi might defer signing drivers until September. Bottas and Zhou (if not others from Tier 2) might be available to resign. I don't think Andreas would sign someone new from lower series.

Is a smooth talker available to call Seb? Seb for now is rejecting Sauber-like package, but life goes on, and challenges do make life interesting.

RB (ex Minardi) might be available on the market in the near future. Will this trasaction see Porsche's involvement?

[Aty]

D/T 2024-04-16 07:14 (CEST)
In re: drivers / Sauber

Noises are intensifying that Carlos has secured a drive for next season with Mercedes. It will be pitty it's not Audi, but life goes on.

That Italian sports newspaper thinks Audi has instead kicked off talks with Alpine's disillusioned driver duo, Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon.

https://www.grandprix.com/news/sainz-to ... agree.html

I believe that both French drivers are better than machnery allows them to shine, or media give them credt, but big queston is, will Sauber advance? Bottas and Zhou are also better than their score implies, yet both have limitations, a reason why they need to leave. It will be upon Audi to give drivers a car which the elite will want. Work on the car needs to move forward. Current position is unsustainable.

Issues with current drivers; recollection of analyses published some time ago in a German source (unfortunately forgot name):

Analyzes showed that Bottas and Zhou, who were inherited from Sauber and former sponsor Alfa Romeo in the 2024 season, repeatedly made mistakes, especially in qualifying. Specialists in the hunt for the best possible lap get their sector times together. But Bottas and Zhou never managed to fit their optimal sector times into one lap. In a midfield that is extremely close together in terms of performance, this can make a difference of up to six starting places.

[Aty]

D/T 2024-04-16 15:38 (CEST)
In Re: F1 Entry Timing for Audi

Every sports series lives in cycles - a reasonable start, an expansion, an explosion, a decline and then we start again. So it is essential to enter a championship at the right time.

Tavares

Hard to say where in the cycle the F1 going to be in 2026.

[Aty]

D/T 2024-04-17 17:50 (CEST)
In re: Speculation / Will be there new driver line up at Sauber?

Carlos Sainz's rumoured move to Mercedes for 2025 may not yet be set in stone.

Sauber CEO Andreas Seidl has long since realised that new drivers are needed, reports the veteran F1 journalist Roger Benoit, writing in Blick newspaper.

https://www.grandprix.com/news/mercedes ... sainz.html

Having Carlos and Nico in a frame would be an excellent start of healing process. Problem is, we are all waiting, whilst main players holding cards close to their chest. Yesterday I was under impression Carlos signed with Toto, and now this.

[Aty]

Infinite love and pride.

[Aty]

D/T 2024-04-18 15:06 (CEST)
In Re: drivers, a few thoughts who is going where

Marko sees no room at Red Bull Racing for Sainz. We're talking to him, Marko said, "but he has a very lucrative offer from Audi that we can't match or beat.

https://www.grandprix.com/news/marko-no ... -2024.html

Waiting is killing me.

[Aty]

D/T 2024-04-19 11:46 (CEST)

Dr. Marko thinks that Carlos received a lucrative deal for three years with Audi.

And now, Marko has told another Austrian newspaper - Osterreich - another key detail of Sainz's offer. Look, Sainz is currently in great shape, said the Austrian. "I think he has a very great three-year offer from Audi, but he has to make a decision relatively soon.

Based on assumption Max is not relocating to Mercedes, Carlos's odds for replacing Hamilton have risen.

I wish him well, whatever he decides to do.

[Aty]

D/T 2024-04-20 07:41 (CEST)
Chinese GP 2024
Friday Press Conference
Alessandro ALUNNI BRAVI:

Q: The driver silly season has gone into overdrive following Alonso's decision to stay with Aston Martin. What is Sauber's position? When can we expect a decision from you on your drivers?

Bravi: First, let me say that there are a lot of speculations, you know, around our teams and comments. And, of course, I don't want to comment on speculation, because we are focused on this race weekend. But there's all the teams, you know. There are 14 drivers without, let's say, a contract fixed for next year. So, as all the teams, we are speaking with different drivers. And you know, it's not the time for us to take any decision. It's time to you know, provide our drivers with a performing car. But let me say that we are happy that it seems that we can play a role, a different role in the drivers' market for the future thanks to Audi's announcement and all the investment that will be done in order to improve our team. So I think that is good news for our team. Finally we are attractive and we are not spectators, we are a player in the market.

14 drivers out of 20..?

I wonder if improving Mercedes will convinced Carlos to accept Toto's offer (if there is one for him on the table). According to Dr. Marko, Sainz has purportedly also a specific offer for three years from Sauber (aka Audi). It has been said that Mercedes offer is just for one year.

[Everso Biggyballies]

14 drivers out of 20..?

I think he i overlooking the fact that Alonso now has a contract

Drivers already with contract in place for next year as I understand it. Of course if you throw in drivers like Liam Lawson,Ollie Bearman and Antonelli, all very much looking for a seat and available, albeit with strings.

Albon (apparently.... according to Vowles Williams had some kind of an option they have taken up)
Hamilton
Leclerc
Norris
Piastri
Verstappen
Russell
Alonso
Stroll (Technically out of contract but we assume staying with Daddies team..... unless a move to WEC with Aston Martin as the internet says is possible)

So 11 current drivers with no contract next year.

Sainz
Bottas
Zhou
Sargeant
Danny Ric
Tsunoda
KMag
Hulkenberg
Perez
Gasly
Ocon

Plus others on the outer (Lawson Bearman etc)

That is without mentioning the much discussed Vettel factor.

[Aty]

14 drivers out of 20..?

I think he i overlooking the fact that Alonso now has a contract

Drivers already with contract in place for next year as I understand it. Of course if you throw in drivers like Lawson and Antonelli, both very much looking for a seat and available, albeit with strings.

Albon (apparently, according to Vowles Williams have an option.)
Hamilton
Leclerc
Norris
Piastri
Verstappen
Russell
Alonso
Stroll (Technically out of contract but we assume staying with Daddies team..... unless a move to WEC with Aston Martin as the internet says is possible)

So 11 drivers with no contract next year.

Sainz
Bottas
Zhou
Sargeant
Danny Ric
Tsunoda
KMag
Hulkenberg
Perez
Gasly
Ocon

Plus others on the outer (Lawson etc)

Thanks. I stop monioring all of that due to mental tiredness. Recently the "news" were changing several times a day, often contradictory. As a result I trashed 90% of my usual sources, and two websites were removed from my bookmarks permanently. Lately I reduced my interest on Sauber, Sainz, Max and Hulk. Even with this small group they take more of my time I can afford.

[Everso Biggyballies]

If you take the 11 current drivers and add the serious non current contenders, you can add three to make 14.... Lawson Bearman and Antonelli
(Both Lawson Bearman have actual recent F1 race experience...... also Antonelli tested an F1 car just last week for Mercedes)