While there’s plenty of attention on the driver changes that could take place at the front of the Formula 1 grid, Sauber’s driver line-up is also particularly intriguing.
The Swiss outfit will become Audi in 2026 and the newest works team in the sport which makes them a fascinating prospect.
Speaking on his Instagram page, Sky Sports pundit and former F1 driver Karun Chandhok shared his thoughts on the future of the team’s line-up.
It’s not been an easy start to the 2024 season and Alessandro Alunni Bravi’s team have yet to score a point after four races.
They’ve been plagued by issues during their pit stops which has made challenging their closest rivals very difficult given how close the field is.
Only Alpine who are having a disastrous season and Williams who are struggling with chassis and parts issues are yet to get off the mark.
However, a seat in the Sauber team for next year is more attractive than their two closest rivals right now thanks to the imminent takeover of Audi.
Karun Chandhok was asked whether he thought Valtteri Bottas would keep his Sauber seat beyond this year but thinks another driver might be higher up their shortlist.
The Finn has a very good record in Formula 1 but hasn’t consistently matched his performances for Mercedes since leaving the team in 2021.
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Karun Chandhok unsure about Valtteri Bottas’s future at Sauber
Valtteri Bottas hasn’t been shy about discussing his Formula 1 prospects at the start of this season.
He admitted that he wants to be ‘one step ahead’ of his rivals when it comes to securing his next contract.
Bottas’s ‘number one’ priority is to stay at Sauber beyond this year and until they become Audi, but Chandhok isn’t sure that he’s done enough to earn a new deal just yet.
The team’s lack of pace has been an issue but has also hidden how well Bottas has driven at times this season.
He put in a couple of brilliant laps in qualifying in Suzuka and comfortably reached Q2 while his teammate Zhou Guanyu finished rock bottom.
The 34-year-old has been competing for points on several occasions but factors outside of his control have prevented him from doing so.
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A familiar foe could deny Valtteri Bottas an Audi seat
Asked if Bottas will get a seat next year, Chandhok said: “Well that’s a good question because Audi now have control over the seats so I think they will try and get the drivers for 2025 who they want to have in the car for 2026 because the regulation changes are coming and you really want to have continuity across a regulation change.
“So, whether they keep Zhou [Guanyu] and Bottas, there are lots of rumours about Nico [Hulkenberg] signing there which I think is quite a smart move.
“He’s a safe, sensible, experienced and fast pair of hands and Nico Hulkenberg would be a good choice.”
Nico Hulkenberg has been one of Audi’s top targets for a long time now.
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Sauber tried to sign him from Haas last winter but the American team blocked his exit and triggered an extension in his contract.
Chandhok’s right that Hulkenberg going to Sauber would be a smart move from the team but it doesn’t necessarily have to be in place of Bottas.
Zhou Guanyu isn’t doing much to justify staying in Formula 1 for a third season right now.
Reliability issues denied him the chance to compete for the final point in Japan on Sunday.
However, he’s qualified last on three occasions already and doesn’t look comfortable in the C44.
The post ‘Smart move’: Karun Chandhok thinks 210-race driver could now threaten Valtteri Bottas’s Sauber future appeared first on F1 Oversteer.