The Sauber team will be taken over by Audi, marking their official entry into F1 in 2026.
Four drivers are on Audi F1’s ‘unofficial shortlist’ of targets to partner Nico Hulkenberg if Sauber are unable to persuade Carlos Sainz to sign for the F1 2025 season, local media has claimed.
Audi’s preparations for their highly anticipated F1 2026 entry are ramping up, with the German manufacturer making their first splash in the driver market last month by announcing the signing of Hulkenberg from Haas.
Audi’s emergency F1 2025 shortlist if Carlos Sainz unavailable
However, the identity of Hulkenberg’s F1 2025 team-mate is yet to be confirmed with neither of Sauber‘s current drivers, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, likely to be retained as it stands.
Reports emerged on Monday that Bottas is understood to be close to a return to Williams for F1 2025 after being spotted meeting team principal James Vowles over the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix weekend.
After starting his F1 journey with Williams in 2013, the Finn made a leap to Mercedes in 2016 when Nico Rosberg retired.
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Last month, it was revealed by Helmut Marko, a long-term Red Bull adviser, that Audi has made a lucrative three-year contract offer to Carlos Sainz. This move comes as Sainz is expected to leave Ferrari at the end of the season to make room for Lewis Hamilton.
During the Miami Grand Prix, Sauber team boss Alessandro Alunni Bravi acknowledged Audi’s keenness in signing Sainz. He expressed that having Carlos on their team would be a desirable outcome, but emphasized that they have multiple alternatives for F1 2025.
Despite his impressive start to the 2024 F1 season and securing his third career victory at the Australian Grand Prix, Sainz is reportedly hesitating on Audi’s offer. He is waiting for a team that offers better chances of immediate success, such as Red Bull or Mercedes.
There are ongoing rumors about three-time World Champion Max Verstappen possibly being tempted by Mercedes, as there seems to be a ‘power struggle’ within Red Bull. Meanwhile, Sergio Perez is in the last year of his current contract with Red Bull.
If Sainz were to move to Mercedes, it would result in a direct seat exchange with Hamilton, who is a seven-time World Champion.
With a move for Sainz hanging in the balance, a report from Swiss-German organisation Blick has claimed that Audi have drawn up a list of alternative targets for F1 2025.
The four individuals reportedly in contention are Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, Red Bull star Yuki Tsunoda, and Aston Martin reserve Felipe Drugovich.
Gasly and Ocon, whose contracts expire at the end of F1 2024, have been associated with potential departures from Alpine due to the team’s woeful beginning to the new season. Alpine, based in Enstone, has only managed to secure a single point in the first seven races.
Both drivers have expressed the importance of evaluating their choices for the upcoming season. Ocon, in an interview with media including Thomas Maher from PlanetF1.com at Imola, emphasized his eagerness to have his future settled as soon as possible. He was deeply affected by being sidelined in 2019 after losing his Force India position.
Gasly and Ocon both have experience winning races, with Gasly claiming his only career victory at Italy in 2020 and Ocon securing his first win at Hungary in 2021.
Meanwhile, Tsunoda has become one of the most impressive drivers of the F1 2024 season, after experiencing an inconsistent beginning to his career with Red Bull’s junior team. He has amassed 15 out of RB’s 20 points so far, leading the team to sixth place in the Constructors’ standings.
Although Tsunoda has connections with Honda, Red Bull’s current engine partner, he suggested during the Emilia Romagna GP that he might depart from RB as he has garnered attention from competing teams.
During an interview with media outlets, including PlanetF1.com, at Imola, Tsunoda revealed that he has not received any communication from Red Bull regarding a new contract. He playfully hinted that he might be inclined to consider leaving if he were presented with an exceptionally intriguing proposal.
RB could promote reserve driver Liam Lawson alongside Daniel Ricciardo if Tsunoda decides to leave. Ricciardo’s performances have improved in recent weeks after a difficult start to the season. Lawson is highly rated and could be a good replacement.
Last month, Marko disclosed that there is a provision in Lawson’s contract which permits him to depart from the Red Bull system if he is not provided with a permanent seat for F1 2025. This opportunity arose after Lawson displayed remarkable skills during a temporary stint as a substitute for the injured Ricciardo in the previous season’s five races.
Despite winning the esteemed F2 (formerly GP2) championship in 2022, Drugovich faced challenges in securing a spot on the F1 grid. Although the Brazilian did participate in two FP1 sessions for Aston Martin last season.
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