Binotto: We need to sign second Sauber-Audi driver ASAP

History shows that 'Sauber-to-be Audi' hardly got going, and already they are into the second era, so to speak. The first being Andreas Seidl-era, which meant setting up Audi's kit at Hinwill for the full takeover in 2026. It was he who brought in Hulkenberg. But Andreas is already gone.

The second era, aka the Binotto-era is upon the team. Thus on the driver front, he inherited the 37-year-old German and now must decide who will partner the podium-less veteran. And to start, he could look at the existing pair of Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou. Whatever happens one of them must go. Maybe both?

Bottas brings what veterans bring: experience and knowledge of how top teams work. Even more so than Hulkenberg, and he is a Grand Prix winner. Hulkenberg has not even visited a podium. But Valterri did race for Mercedes during their heyday. Nico never got a sniff of a winning car.

If experience is required, Bottas ticks the boxes. Zhou, on the other hand, has not set the world alight, apart from the fact that his support in China was an eye-opener. He needs to be kept in F1, the moneymen will be saying. Binotto has decisions to make.

Speaking to media, including GrandPrix247, Binotto confirmed Sauber junior drivers are in the reckoning: “Theo [Pourchaire] is our reserve driver; he’s already part of the family, and we have no doubt that he is on our list. Gabriel [Bortoleto] is doing very well in F2. I think he’s shown to be a great talent, and, certainly, we are looking to what he is doing, as we are looking to many others."

“I don’t see those as the only names that have our attention. There are many names on the list with great potential, others with great expertise, great experience," reckoned Binotto, suggesting it will either be Bottas or a young gun alongside Hulkenberg in 2025.

“It’s a matter of needing to judge what’s most important for us in the short, medium, and long term and go for a clear, clear plan, which today I do not really have an answer," admitted Binotto.

As for the timeline to decide the driver. "I think we’ll decide as soon as possible, without a doubt, because we have to set up the team for next year and for the future. We also have to stop any speculation, because it’s not in our interest," concluded Binotto, who was Ferrari F1 team principal from 2019 until the end of 2022.