Sauber 2025 recap

As this amazing season wrapped up, we would like to have a look back at Sauber’s last season in F1, catching a quick glimpse at their struggles as well as their highlights.

(Image credit to @stakef1team on Instagram)

Highlights

One of the best standout moments of the season, not just for Sauber but across the grid, was seeing Hülkenberg finally step onto an F1 podium for the first time in his career. After 239 races in the sport, the record number of Grand Prix starts without a podium, Hülkenberg’s consistency, combined with Sauber’s efforts, paid off in Silverstone’s changing weather conditions. After battling Lewis Hamilton until the very last lap, Nico Hülkenberg’s drive at Silverstone was one of the best of his season and undoubtedly of his career as well. Having qualified P19 for the race, it was one of the best recovery drives across the entire grid this year. On the other side of the garage, Bortoleto’s highest finishing position of P6 was one of the best moments of his rookie season, which he achieved at the Hungarian Grand Prix. During the 70-lap race at the Hungaroring, Bortoleto found himself defending and racing against his manager, Fernando Alonso, and four-time World Champion, Max Verstappen.

Struggles

After a rocky 2024, the new season wasn’t exactly kind to Sauber either. Between Round 2 and Round 8, no points were scored, leaving the team with only 6 points gained in the first 8 rounds of the season despite the many upgrades introduced in China. The C45 chassis not only lacked downforce and overall balance but also became more unbalanced when in the dirty air of other cars during the race. Hot and turbulent air coming from cars in front made the C45 very unstable through corners due to the lack of clean air received. All these factors made the car very difficult to drive for both of the drivers, who struggled to even get into Q2 during qualifying. The same issue also affected the overall performance on Sunday.

Statistics (Podiums, Wins, Constructor standings)

Sauber finished off with no wins but one impressive podium from Nico Hülkenberg in Silverstone. Despite the constant ups and downs, the team finished P9 in the Constructors' Championship, a big difference from 2024, with 70 points scored throughout the season. 9 points ahead in the championship were Haas, and after Sauber were Alpine in P10 with 22 points scored.

Big News

As this year is the last ever year of the name Sauber, the team has already put full focus on 2026 and the entrance of Audi into F1. The team will keep the driver pairing for the foreseeable future, and it will be exciting to see what’s coming in the future and how the team will perform and develop.

Nico Hülkenberg

For Nico Hülkenberg, it was a very successful season. As mentioned, Hülkenberg managed to clinch his first ever podium in Formula One, and it was one of the best seasons for him since his full-time return in 2022. Hülkenberg finished the season eleventh in the Drivers' Championship with 51 points, being equal with rookie Isack Hadjar, who scored 51 points as well.

Gabriel Bortoleto

For rookie Gabriel Bortoleto, it was an exciting season with many ups and downs. Notably, the Hungarian Grand Prix was his highest finish, crossing the line at P6. Bortoleto finished the season P19 in the Drivers' Championship with 19 points scored and many lessons learnt.

To sum up this amazing last year of the Sauber legacy, it ended on the right note, and it will be exciting to see the Audi Revolut F1 Team starting on the grid next year.

Article written by Yael Bächler and Sania Zimmermann 

©Yael Bächler, Sania Zimmermann 2025