Sauber In-Depth: What's at stake in final year before Audi takeover?

The unveiling of the Stake Sauber C46 took place at the O2 Arena in London in front of 15,000 fans on Tuesday night, with the team showcasing a striking black and green livery. The car is the final one before Audi take over the team in 2026. How much is at stake?

New drivers Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto were joined on stage by Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer Mattia Binotto, with the team emphasising its determination to compete in one of the most tightly contested grids in the sport’s history.

The C45 is set to make its track debut in next week’s Bahrain pre-season test, with the team confident in its design and development. Technical Director James Key led the engineering team at Sauber’s Hinwil base in Switzerland, focusing on significant aerodynamic and mechanical refinements.

Binotto outlined the team’s ambitions for the 2025 F1 season ahead: "The C45 is the culmination of months of dedication and hard work by our entire team. Every department has played a crucial role in developing this car, and we are extremely proud of what we have achieved, but we know this is just the beginning.

"Formula One is a constant race of development, often a case of who gets there first, and our focus now shifts to extracting performance and building on the strong foundation we have set. We have made significant advancements in aerodynamics, efficiency, and overall balance, all of which will be key in making us more competitive throughout the season.

"At the same time, success is about more than just car performance—it’s about how we operate as a team, how we execute on race weekends, and how we maximise every opportunity. Our goal is clear: to keep improving in every area, to fight hard, and to lay a solid foundation for future growth."

Key highlighted the technical advancements of the new car: "It’s always a fulfilling moment when a new car is built and ready to run for the first time, after the many months of hard work, dedication and commitment from every area of the team."

"We have worked hard to drive our C45 development towards both established and new directions, explained Key and added: "Building on what we learned last year with the C44, where we made some significant strides towards the end of the season, and fresh thinking in certain areas to release performance that we could not have found with our previous car.

"All of these steps have taken us forwards with a full revision of our aerodynamics, new front and rear suspension, updated cooling systems, weight reduction, and improved & refined mechanical setup options.

"Of course, the development race never stops and performance is all relative, particularly with such an incredibly tight field, so we already have a plan in place to bring further upgrades early in the season which the team has been working on for some time. We are confident that the C45 represents a step forward and will allow us to be more competitive as we fight for better results in 2025," predicted Key.

Hülkenberg, returning to the Sauber setup a decade after his last stint with the team, is optimistic about the season ahead: "A new team brings many changes, and countless small details need to be fine-tuned, which is why I’m pleased with how productive our first few weeks together have been."

The German veteran continued: "I’ve recognised some familiar faces from my first time with Sauber, but a lot has changed in the last ten years—and continues to evolve. There’s a great spirit in the team right now, and of course, we’re all focused on improving from last year.

"The road ahead is long, but our future is taking shape day by day. It feels great to be part of this journey, and together with Gabriel, I want to play my role in driving our progress forward. The off-season has never been my favourite time of the year, so I’m really looking forward to getting back in the car for testing and kicking off the season soon. I’m ready for this new challenge," declared Hülkenberg.

Bortoleto, set for his rookie Formula 1 season, is eager to get to work: "We have put in a lot of hard work over the winter, and I have spent a great deal of time in the factory—in the simulator, with the team, and pushing myself to learn as much as possible for the season ahead.

"Although our testing days are limited, every lap is valuable in helping me adapt and prepare for the season ahead. I’m really excited to embark on this journey with the team.

"With all the effort we have put in, I believe the C45 has the potential to make a definite step forward. Of course, we know the competition is fierce, with other teams also working hard, but we trust in the work we’ve done and are ready to give it our all on track."

Following testing in Bahrain, the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship officially begins in Melbourne on 16 March. With an all-new driver pairing and an aggressive-looking C45, Stake Sauber is aiming to fight its way up the midfield in the upcoming season.

Time will tell if their last hurrah will be a memorable one, before Audi takes over at Hinwill.