As the countdown to Audi’s arrival in 2026 looms, Sauber F1 Team enters the final ten races of their current era looking to carry the strong form that lifted them into the midfield fight before the summer break, beginning this weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix.
After collecting just six points across the opening eight races, Sauber hit their stride in the run-up to the break, scoring points in six consecutive rounds. With Nico Hulkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto delivering consistently, the team are now just one point behind Aston Martin in the Constructors’ battle for sixth, and even eyeing P5 as “best of the rest.”
Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley stressed that Zandvoort’s challenges will demand sharp execution: “We return to racing recharged and ready to pick up where we left off. Zandvoort always delivers some surprises with its unique layout and sudden weather changes, so we need to be ready for whatever is thrown at us.
"Looking to the second half of the season, the development on C45, together with operational improvements at the track, have put us in a credible position to fight for points and the target remains to deliver to our maximum potential," added Wheatley.
The midfield remains tightly packed, but Sauber see the European double-header at Zandvoort and Monza as a chance to reinforce their upward trajectory.
Drivers recharged for second half of the season
For Hulkenberg, the return to Zandvoort is a homecoming of sorts: “It’s great to be back on track. I’ve recharged over the break with family and friends, and now I’m ready for the battles ahead. I have a lot of good memories from racing in the Netherlands during my karting days.
"Zandvoort is the closest venue to my hometown in this year’s calendar, so it holds a special meaning for me. It’s a fun track with elevation changes and a mix of corners – a proper driver’s circuit. I’m motivated to build on the work we’ve done and push hard into the second half of the season," declared the German.
Bortoleto, approaching the final phase of his rookie campaign, added: “The break was good for me – time with my family and friends in Brazil – but I’m eager to get going again. We're entering the final stage of my rookie season, and I want to make every session count: keep learning, keep improving, and help the team fight for strong results.
"Zandvoort is a special place to restart – I last raced there in 2022, back in Formula Regional, and I quite enjoyed it. We want to focus on carrying the form we’ve shown so far into the coming races," concluded the Brazilian, ahead of Round 15 of 24 this weekend in Holland.
Latest News
Loading
