Even for those hopeful about the imminent 2026 arrival of Audi Sport on Formula 1 grids, it’s been a challenge to get excited over the performance of Sauber during this pre-Audi era. Sure, those in-the-know about F1 and who understand Audi’s potential given the brand’s motorsport history know to watch more than just race results, but the race results can’t be ignored.
Then came last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona.
Prior to Spain and more than just this season, pace has been a serious issue. Sauber scored only four championship points over the entirety of the 2024 season. Replacing both drivers plus new staff, including a new team principal made for a big change, which saw Nico Hulkenberg best the entire 2024 points haul by earning six championship points at the 2026 opening round in Australia. Granted, Australia was plagued by inclement weather that shuffled the field and likely aided the German driver who successfully navigated his Sauber C43 through the weather and on to finish in 7th. It made for a strong start.
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Even still, ever since Australia the team has had effectively back marker results and scored no points. At the Emilia Romagna race, a decisive pass by Sauber’s rookie driver Gabriel Bortoleto was enough to get the attention and elicit an exclamation by the F1 on-air commentator. Could that have been a hint at Sauber making some headway in development of the outgoing Ferrari-powered C43?
SIDENOTE
The Sauber C43 is still powered by a Ferrari engine. While that’s set to change in 2026, Audi has elected to not associate Audi branding to its F1 team until that time. Interestingly, this is different than Cadillac’s decision to launch as Cadillac despite the American brand’s use of Ferrari engines until 2029.
If Emilia Romagna was a hint, Spain seemed to offer more solid evidence. Nico Hulkenberg finished a truly remarkable fifth and netting 10 more championship points, while his teammate Gabriel Bortoleto showed strong pace nearly matching Hulkenberg throughout the race, though he’d finish just out of the points in 12th.
What made the difference in Spain? The team attributes it to two reasons. First, they had a well-executed strategy for both cars. Second, they also added a recent upgrade package to the C43 that appears to have improved its pace.
Sure. But can an upgrade package make a real difference?
Short answer: Yes. If you’re keeping tabs on the 2025 F1 season, then you know McLaren clearly has the pace this year, which is making them the team to beat. Circumstances have to be just right for reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen to have any chance at all in his Red Bull. Same goes for other heavy hitter factory teams who build their own engines – Mercedes-Benz and Ferrari.
It’s important to note then that McLaren isn’t an engine manufacturer. They are a Mercedes-AMG customer, meaning they have no engine edge over their factory – a factory that isn’t even currently performing so well. Mercedes is third in the points, running behind Ferrari and not having won a race this season like Red Bull.
So yes, a customer team can do very well and McLaren is proving it. Put the right drivers in place, supported by the right team and add in the best aerodynamics package and you have a formula that appears to be running away with the 2025 championship just as McLaren is showing.
So What Does that Mean for Sauber?
While Sauber doesn’t really have a chance of knocking on the door of a title in 2025, showing its proficiency with drivers, team and car refinement offers a clue at what we could see next year. From drivers to leadership and the team beneath them, Audi and Sauber appear to have made the right hires. Nico is showing pace, and Bortoleto is the reigning 2024 F2 champion. The drivers and staff are the real deal.
And what about team? As the team shows more and more properly executed and successful race strategies, that covers half the bases when it comes to team. The other half is speed in the pits. Seeing that, then it’s worth noting who won the DHL’s Fastest Pit Stop Award in Spain. That honor goes to Sauber, who got Gabriel Bortoleto turned around in just 2.13 seconds.
Looking Back then on Spain
After the Spanish Grand Prix, seven-time World Champion and current Ferrari factory driver Lewis Hamilton was notably frustrated. Hamilton finished in sixth place in Spain, one spot behind Hulkenberg’s Sauber. That Sauber is a customer team likely weighed on Lewis, but what likely weighed on him more was the fact that, for the last several seasons, Sauber has been a back marker. While tire strategy also played into it, things appears to be changing and likely Lewis learned that when Nico passed him on pace in the latter half of the race.
Thanks to the Spanish results, Sauber currently sits at 16 points in the championship, 4x their 2024 results and enough to place them eighth in the team standings, while driver Nico Hulkenberg sits at 11th (out of 21) in the Driver’s standings.
PHOTO GALLERY F1 SPANISH GRAND PRIX
