Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber
Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber is the current identity of the Sauber Formula 1 team, competing in the 2024 season under a sponsorship-driven name. The team is based in Hinwil, Switzerland, and has a long history in Formula 1, having first entered the sport in 1993 as Sauber F1 Team.
Sauber has traditionally been an independent team, known for developing young talent, including future world champions like Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel. Over the years, the team has partnered with several manufacturers, including BMW, which briefly turned it into a works team from 2006 to 2009. After BMW's exit, Sauber returned to private ownership and continued competing under various sponsorship arrangements.
In 2018, Sauber formed a strategic partnership with Alfa Romeo, leading to the team being rebranded as Alfa Romeo Racing from 2019 to 2023. However, this branding deal ended in 2023 as the team prepared for a transition to become Audi's works team in 2026.
For the 2024 season, the team is officially registered as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, reflecting its title sponsorship from Stake, a cryptocurrency-based betting company, and Kick, a streaming platform. Despite the branding change, the team remains operated by Sauber and continues to develop its own cars and infrastructure in preparation for Audi's full takeover in 2026.
The team is currently managed by Alessandro Alunni Bravi, and Andreas Seidl, the former McLaren team boss, is overseeing Sauber's transition to Audi. The 2024 driver lineup features Valtteri Bottas, a highly experienced former Mercedes driver, and Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese driver in Formula 1, both aiming to push the team up the midfield.
As it navigates this transitional phase, Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber is focused on maintaining competitiveness while preparing for its future as Audi’s official factory team.