Sauber Motorsport, hailing from Hinwil, Switzerland, has carved a unique niche in the world of Formula 1. Founded in 1970 by Peter Sauber, the team began its journey in sports car racing before making the ambitious leap to Formula 1 in 1993.
Debuting with the C12 car, Sauber quickly established itself as a team capable of competing with the sport's elite. Over the years, they became known for nurturing young talent, notably giving a young Kimi Räikkönen his start in 2001.
The mid-2000s marked significant changes for Sauber. In 2005, they partnered with BMW, leading to the formation of the BMW Sauber F1 Team. This collaboration bore fruit with a memorable one-two finish at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix, where Robert Kubica clinched his first victory.
After BMW's exit in 2009, Sauber returned to independent status, continuing to compete under various guises, including a title sponsorship with Alfa Romeo starting in 2018
The future looks promising for Sauber. With Audi's acquisition of the team, Sauber is set to become the Audi factory team in 2026. This transition includes significant investments, such as the Qatar Investment Authority acquiring a 30% stake in the team. Leadership changes are also underway, with former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto taking the helm to steer the team into this new chapter.
From its humble Swiss origins to its forthcoming role as Audi's works team, Sauber's journey is a testament to resilience and adaptability in the ever-evolving world of Formula 1.