Sauber has made notable strides this winter, but Mattia Binotto insists it’s only the beginning, with a key focus on operations.
After the F1 75 season launch event in London, Stake F1 unveiled its Sauber C45, the single-seater that will represent its colors in this year’s 24 races. Mattia Binotto, Director of Operations, explains how the team designed its car, which is a broad evolution of last season’s final 2024 iteration.
“The C45 is the culmination of months of dedication and hard work from our entire team. Every department has played a crucial role in developing this car, and we are extremely proud of what we have achieved,” Binotto acknowledges.
“But we know this is just the beginning. Formula 1 is a constant race in development, often in pursuit of being first, and we will now focus on extracting performance and building on the solid foundations we have established.”
“We have made significant progress in aerodynamics, efficiency, and overall balance—key elements that will allow us to be more competitive throughout the season.”
“At the same time, success is not just about car performance. It depends on how we operate as a team, how we perform on race weekends, and how we maximize every opportunity. Our goal is clear: to keep improving in every area, fight hard, and lay strong foundations for our future growth.”
James Key, Sauber’s Technical Director, explains that the C45 largely stems from the successful improvements made by the team at the end of last season and already outlines an evolution plan featuring upgrades from the very start of the season.
“It is always a moment of satisfaction when a new car is built and ready to run for the first time, after many months of hard work, dedication, and commitment from every member of the team,” said the Briton.
“We have worked hard to steer the development of the C45 in both established and new directions, building on what we learned last year with the C44, where we made significant progress towards the end of the season, and introducing new ideas in certain areas to unlock performance that we could not have achieved with our previous car.”
“All these steps have moved us forward with a complete overhaul of our aerodynamics, new front and rear suspensions, updated cooling systems, reduced weight, and refined mechanical setup options. Of course, the race for development never stops, and performance is always relative, especially in an incredibly tight field.”
“We already have a plan in place to bring further improvements at the start of the season, which the team has been working on for some time. We are confident that the C45 represents a step forward and will allow us to be more competitive in our fight for better results in 2025.”
A Completely New Driver Lineup at Stake F1
Nico Hülkenberg returns to Sauber more than a decade after his previous stint with the team. The German driver is pleased to have already settled in well and is eager to start a new Formula 1 season.
“A new team brings many changes, and countless small details need to be addressed, which is why I am pleased with the productivity of our first weeks of collaboration,” said Hülkenberg.
“I recognize some familiar faces from my first experience with Sauber, but a lot has changed over the past ten years—and continues to evolve. There is a great spirit within the team right now, and of course, we are all striving to improve the situation compared to last year.”
“The road ahead is long, but our future is taking shape day by day. It’s fantastic to be part of this journey, and together with Gabriel, I want to play my role in moving things forward. The off-season has never been my favorite time of the year, so I’m really looking forward to getting back in the car for testing and kicking off the season.”
Gabriel Bortoleto Joins the Team as a New Driver
Gabriel Bortoleto will be the team’s new driver, and he has also had plenty of work to prepare: “We worked hard over the winter, and I spent a lot of time at the factory, in the simulator, with the team, making every effort to learn as much as possible for the season ahead.”
“Although our testing days are limited, every lap is valuable in helping me adapt and prepare for the season. I’m very excited to embark on this journey with the team.”
“With all the effort we have put in, I believe the C45 has the potential to take a big step forward. Of course, we know the competition is fierce, with other teams working hard, but we have confidence in the work we have done and are ready to give everything on track.”
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Sauber’s Progress is Clear—But Binotto Warns It’s Just the Start Sauber’s Progress is Clear—But Binotto Warns It’s Just the Start Sauber’s Progress is Clear—But Binotto Warns It’s Just the Start
