Sauber has already made a big move for the upcoming 2026 season by signing Nico Hulkenberg. He’ll be part of the team when it transitions to become the Audi factory team. Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari leaves Carlos Sainz as the most sought-after driver without a contract for 2025. Sainz has a connection to Audi through his father’s Dakar Rally victories.
Alunni Bravi, managing director of the Sauber Group, highlighted Sainz as a top choice. He praised Sainz’s maturity, skill in developing cars, consistency, and strength in both qualifying and races. However, Bravi acknowledged that the driver market is complex, and many teams are in talks with various drivers. Sauber is considering several options for their team and will take their time to make a decision.
Bravi clarified that discussions with Sainz and other drivers, including their current drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, are ongoing. Securing Hulkenberg’s seat means there’s no hurry to finalize the second driver. Sauber values their current drivers but recognizes the importance of choosing the right fit for the team’s future with Audi.
Sainz also has the option to rejoin the Red Bull team, which he left in 2016. However, Red Bull’s Helmut Marko mentioned that Audi has made a compelling offer that they can’t match or surpass.
