Sauber F1 takes major step ahead of transition to Audi

While the 2025 Formula 1 season is still a few weeks away, with pre-season testing slated for later this month at Bahrain International Circuit, moves are already being made for the 2026 campaign.

That year will see Audi join the grid, as the legendary manufacturer takes over the Sauber operation to become the latest works team on the grid. On Tuesday, Sauber announced the latest major step in that transition, the establishment of a new technical center in England, in the region known as “Motorsport Valley.”

For years Sauber’s base of operations has been in Switzerland, but the team believes that a new technical center in this area will attract “top experts” and “engineering talent” to the growing team.

“We are excited to establish our technical centre in the UK to complement our key site in Hinwil, which will continue to lead our main engineering operations and experience the largest team growth,” said Mattia Binotto, the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Technical Officer of Sauber. “Expanding into the UK allows us to remain close to one of the world’s most dynamic motorsport ecosystems. Our vision is to create a strong, collaborative network across Hinwil and the UK, driving innovation and performance.”

The team will have a completely new driver lineup for 2025, ahead of the transition to Audi in 2026. Veteran driver Nico Hülkenberg announced last May that he was joining the team for 2025, and last fall the team unveiled Gabriel Bortoleto as their other driver for the upcoming season.

Bortoleto is coming off a stellar two seasons in the lower rungs of single-seater motorsport. After securing the F3 Drivers’ Championship in 2023, he moved up a level and captured the F2 Drivers’ Championship this past season.

That made Bortoleto the fourth to win the F3 and F2 titles in consecutive years, joining Charles Leclerc, George Russell, and Oscar Piastri.