In a season marked by intense competition, Sauber has remained one of Formula 1’s quietest teams. The Swiss outfit, set to become Audi in 2026, currently languishes 10th in the standings, having scored just a single points finish—a seventh place by Nico Hulkenberg in Australia.
Given their modest results last year, the struggles of the Sauber C45 this season come as little surprise. Entering 2025, the Hinwil-based team accepted a role focused on damage limitation while preparing for the seismic regulatory overhaul slated for 2026.
Yet, despite the forthcoming Audi takeover, significant challenges remain—particularly on the powertrain front. Audi’s CEO Mattia Binotto has acknowledged the uphill battle the brand faces to close a notable performance gap with established engine manufacturers.
Historically, engine supremacy has played a decisive role in F1 success, exemplified by Mercedes and previously Red Bull, whose exclusive Honda partnership gave them a competitive edge. Audi’s acquisition of Sauber promises to transform a resource-limited team into a full-fledged manufacturer outfit, offering newfound control over aerodynamics and power unit development alike.
This integration theoretically grants Audi and the Hinwil engineers the autonomy to chart their own course, but history warns that financial backing alone does not guarantee immediate triumph—Aston Martin’s recent challenges illustrate this clearly.
Audi’s F1 journey started slowly, with their 2026 entry confirmed several years after the initial regulation announcements. As a result, Sauber’s development lags behind competitors in the crucial race toward next-generation performance.
With the clock ticking, Audi and Sauber face a tough road to make a competitive impact when the new era begins—but the potential to reshape the team’s future remains significant.