Binotto will decide over Sauber's 2025 driver line-up, claims Bravi
Kick Sauber's team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi has confirmed that Mattia Binotto will make a final decision regarding the Swiss outfit's driver line-up for next season.
Audi announced in 2022 that it will take over the Sauber outfit, which will use Audi's own power unit. In January 2023, Audi announced the acquisition of a minority stake in the Sauber Group while this year saw the German marque confirm a full takeover of Sauber.
Former McLaren team principal Andreas Seidl was planned continue as CEO, additionally taking over the role principal from Alessandro Alunni Bravi. However, he was replaced by former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto starting from 1 August 2024.
Additionally, the Swiss outfit has also announced during the summer break that Red Bull sporting director Jonathan Wheatley will join in 2026 after he left Red Bull in 2024 and is planned to go on gardening leave in 2025.
Sauber has already confirmed that Nico Hulkenberg will join the team in 2025, but it is yet to make the decision about the German's future team-mate.
Sauber's team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi has revealed that Mattia Binotto is still assessing the team's driver line-up for the coming season.
"I think this is the current assessment that Mattia is doing. He just started two weeks ago, so we have said already in Monza that he's taking charge of all the dossiers and the drivers is of course one of the most important ones.
"We are evaluating all the options to see which is the best balance between a short-term experience and medium, long-term, maybe young talent. There are potential candidates on both sides. Valtteri is a strong driver for our team. We know him very well. He has been with the team already for three years, and of course he's one on top of our list. But there are other opportunities.
"We are just looking at all the pros and cons, and Mattia will take a decision based not only on 2025, but also the medium-long-term strategy for the Audi F1 project.
Although there is no deadline for the decision, Bravi has indicated that the Hinwil-based squad will make its decision shortly.
"It's not about the deadline because, of course, we are not opportunistic. Now that there is only one seat available, we want to take time. It's more to assess everything, every aspect, and to take a right decision. I think there is no rush, but we want to tick this box also soon. So, I think it will be a matter of the next weeks."
During the summer break, Sauber that will become Audi's works entry in 2026, has announced key changes regarding its leadership. Former project leader Andreas Seidl has left the organisation, and former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has joined Hinwil to embark on a new challenge after his two-decade long stint at the Scuderia.
Sauber has also announced that Jonathan Wheatley will become the outfit's team principal next year, with the Briton joining the team after his long stint as team manager and sporting director at Red Bull.
Commenting on Wheatley's role, Bravi said: "I can just judge Jonathan from outside because I don't know him personally, but of course we can see that they have a strong impact and contribution to the last 18 years of success in Red Bull.
"Red Bull has been at least still the benchmark in Formula 1 as a team in terms of organisation, in terms of talents. And so I think that a person that has been in one of the key roles in this team can just bring a positive contribution and I expect that Jonathan will be leading our team together with Mattia. So for me, it's a positive addition and we are looking forward to him next year.
