Sauber has revealed a dramatic livery on its C44 at a launch event in London.
The Swiss-based outfit are no longer Alfa Romeo so the team has been rebranded as Stake F1 team with Stake as the main title sponsor. The flo-green and black look is certainly different and dramatic.
The C44 will then perform a shakedown run by Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu in a filming day in Barcelona followed by pre-season testing in Bahrain.
This new car is the first to be developed with the input of technical director James Key. It features what the team calls an “aggressively redesigned” aerodynamic package and a switch from a push-rod to a pull-rod front suspension – a configuration used previously by Red Bull and McLaren, which is primarily intended to create an aero benefit.
Team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi has said the new green look is part of a conscious effort to embrace change after the Alfa Romeo years and with the team building towards Audi’s entry.
“There’s a new identity for our team, as we enter as Stake F1 Team,” said the Italian. “We saw a lot of changes, which makes this such an exciting era for us.
“This partnership will help us reach a new audience and expand our fan base. It also gives us a way to have a fresh and innovative approach in the way we communicate.
“There are changes in other areas. We are developing our team structure, strengthening our personnel, and this implies work is ongoing in Hinwil in all areas. It’s a new exciting era for our team.”
It’s definitely an exciting era for Stake before the Audi transformation two years from now. Let’s see if the car and team is competitive.
Social media:
https://twitter.com/F1/status/1754584422999834875
https://twitter.com/stakef1team/status/1754583902948102643
https://twitter.com/stakef1team/status/1754585316080435397
Official site:
https://www.sauber-group.com/shots/the-c44-unleashed?d=Racing
News stories:
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.gallery-every-angle-of-kick-saubers-bold-new-look-for-the-2024-season.EGk2uWFgMmkqKutbGnDUi.html
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.first-look-kick-sauber-show-off-dazzling-livery-with-a-slew-of-changes-to.7tUcB0jd4VIdbGNbDmP1Pv.html
https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/12433/13059830/sauber-reveal-new-green-and-black-2024-f1-car-for-valtteri-bottas-and-zhou-guanyu-as-new-era-begins
https://www.racefans.net/2024/02/05/sauber-will-use-alternative-to-stake-f1-team-name-at-certain-races/
https://www.racefans.net/2024/02/05/first-pictures-saubers-new-look-for-2024-revealed/
Valtteri Bottas says that his Sauber Formula 1 team must “step up” its game this year and set itself “lofty” objectives after a poor performance in 2023.
In its final year under the Alfa Romeo identity, the team had a disappointing season, finishing only ninth in the world championship, with Valtteri Bottas logging two eighth places and his team-mate Zhou Guanyu never bettering ninth.
“Going into the third season together with a team, the objectives need to be lofty,” said the Finn.
“My own expectations are high, we definitely need to make a good step and see good progress from last year, a season in which, in all honesty, we didn’t meet the targets that we set for ourselves.
“We need to fix that now, we need to step up our game and do better. Seeing all the changes that have been happening in the team is what gives me this confidence.
“We have got quite a bit of new resources in different departments of the team, we have a whole new identity, the new car looks different – and not just in terms of livery. All this gives me the confidence that we’re on a different path, hopefully the right path.”
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/sauber-needs-step-up-f1-2024-bottas/10572665/