Sauber set to race under a new name at the Dutch Grand Prix
The Kick Sauber F1 team is set to compete under a new name at Zandvoort after Dutch officials have banned the Stake F1 Team from using its branding at this weekend's Zandvoort race.
Sauber has been rebranded as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber for the 2024 Formula 1 campaign, following the departure of their title sponsor Alfa Romeo. The Swiss team will operate under this banner until the end of the 2025 F1 season before rebranding as Audi in 2026 when they become the German manufacturer's works squad.
It has now emerged that the Hinwil-headquartered outfit will not be allowed to show off their logos at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Although betting advertising is not illegal in the Netherlands, but the use of Stake's website is. The Australian-Curaçaoan online casino does not have a license to operate in the Netherlands and, the Kansspelautoriteit Dutch Gaming Authority [Ksa] has ordered the team and Formula 1 not to use the branding.
Ksa noted: "The Sauber Formula 1 team competes in most international races as 'Stake F1 Team'. Stake is an international gambling provider and main sponsor of the team. Stake does not have a license from the Ksa and is therefore not allowed to offer gambling in the Netherlands.
"According to the gambling legislation, it is prohibited to offer games of chance without a license, to advertise these illegal games of chance or to promote participation in them. Online gambling providers without a license must therefore take measures to prevent participation from the Netherlands, for example by applying geoblocks. Dutch players will then not be able to reach the website.
"Stake has applied such a geoblock. Despite the measures taken by Stake, the Ksa still sees participation by Dutch players. The Ksa therefore finds it undesirable that illegal gambling is advertised at a Dutch event with the reach and size of Formula 1.
"Also because the event attracts a lot of attention among vulnerable groups [minors and young adults]. The board of the Ksa has therefore urgently requested both Sauber and the organization of the Dutch Grand Prix not to drive under the name Stake and not to advertise for this provider."
