Audi are nonetheless undecided on who will group up with Nico Hulkenberg at Sauber for the F1 2025 marketing campaign.
It’s finally Mattia Binotto’s choice, with the previous Ferrari boss becoming a member of Audi in August.
Audi may go for expertise or youth – however which route ought to they go down?
“Driving higher than what I did at Mercedes”
On the floor, dropping Valtteri Bottas could be a harsh choice.
Bottas has comfortably outperformed teammate Zhou Guanyu this yr, main 17-1 within the qualifying head-to-head.
Whereas Bottas sits backside of the F1 drivers’ championship, behind Zhou on countback (Zhou completed P11 in Bahrain), a scarcity of efficiency can’t be justification for dropping the Finn.
Bottas would have scored factors on doubtlessly two events had Sauber’s pit cease woes not ruined their early-season kind.
Bottas himself feels he’s nonetheless performing on the prime of his sport.
Talking in Singapore, Bottas stated: “I really feel like, sure, particularly in qualifying this yr. I have never felt any indicators of being worse. If something, you retain getting higher with expertise.
“You achieve extra consistency, extra confidence. You’ll be able to remedy completely different points otherwise. You’ll be able to adapt to the automotive the extra time you spend within the sport.
“I really feel truly I am driving higher than what I did at Mercedes, however clearly it isn’t that seen.”
In uncooked tempo phrases, there’s little doubt that Bottas warrants a spot on the F1 grid, and alongside Hulkenberg, Sauber would have a particularly fast, confirmed driver pairing.
Nevertheless, provided that Sauber are prone to be on the again once more in 2025, wouldn’t it not be a greater time to get a teen up to the mark forward of the arrival of Audi in 12 months’ time?
At 35, Bottas is clearly not the long run, and whereas reliable, the performances of Oliver Bearman and Franco Colapinto certainly show that choosing a hotshot could possibly be the way in which to go for the German producer.
Choosing youth
Colapinto’s run of excellent performances for Williams has doubtlessly shifted the narrative about placing rookies – or much less skilled drivers – into F1.
The Argentine has been an in depth match for the highly-rated Alex Albon in his three F1 outings, proving to be a big improve on Logan Sargeant.
Williams boss James Vowles has made it clear he’d be open to letting Colapinto be part of Sauber.
Given Colapinto’s – and Bearman’s – spectacular showings this yr, maybe it should tempt Binotto and Audi to go for an additional System 2 driver.
Brazilian driver Gabriel Bortoleto has been closely linked with a promotion to F1 with Sauber. Bortoleto, who’s managed by Fernando Alonso’s ‘A14’, sits prime of the F2 standings.
F1 has not had a Brazilian on the grid since 2017 with Felipe Massa, which might enable Audi to faucet into that market once more.
As 2025 is prone to be a write-off for Sauber as they look ahead to Audi’s full involvement, it might give a much less skilled driver time to develop and be taught away from the highlight.
The surface possibility
Time is working out for Mick Schumacher to save lots of his F1 profession. The German was ignored by Alpine as they selected Jack Doohan as Esteban Ocon’s alternative.
Schumacher has carried out effectively throughout his stint within the World Endurance Championship for Alpine – however his aim is to return to F1.
“No matter occurs for the long run, can be determined sooner or later nonetheless this yr, hopefully,” he advised Autosport.
“As quickly as I do know what I can be doing, I’ll for positive put a press launch on the market and allow you to all know.
“However undoubtedly the hope is for System 1, as a result of that’s what I dreamt of since I used to be a bit of boy, nevertheless it undoubtedly feels nice to be in WEC.”
It’s straightforward to neglect that Schumacher outperformed Kevin Magnussen within the second half of 2022 earlier than being changed by Hulkenberg.
An unlikely possibility, however a second likelihood for Schumacher could be intriguing to see how he would fare outdoors of the Haas atmosphere.
