The Battle To Complete Sauber’s 2025 Lineup

The 2025 Formula 1 season promises to deliver one of the most dramatic lineup shakeups in recent memory. With Hamilton’s stunning move to Ferrari, the arrival of four rookies—Kimi Antonelli, Liam Lawson, Jack Doohan, and Ollie Bearman—Sainz’s shift to Williams, and Ocon joining Haas, the grid is brimming with fresh talent and unexpected transfers. Yet, amidst all these changes, one seat remains unclaimed. Sauber has already confirmed Nico Hülkenberg for 2025, but the question lingers: who will be his teammate as the team eyes a crucial turning point?

Mick Schumacher

Mick Schumacher has emerged as a late contender for the Sauber seat, after Audi Chief Mattia Binotto confirmed discussions.

In an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Binotto said, “We are definitely evaluating him.”

“I met him and spoke to him. I have known him for a long time, having been part of the Ferrari Driver Academy. I know his strengths and advantages. He is one of the names we have in mind.”

Binotto, who previously served as Ferrari’s team principal, brings a wealth of experience alongside an understanding of Schumacher’s capabilities, who was previously a Ferrari Academy driver.

Schumacher, who has spent the last few years as a reserve driver for Mercedes, testing for McLaren and driving for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship, has shown promise but has yet to secure a permanent seat. After leaving Haas in 2022, he has spent his time honing his craft alongside Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, which has provided him with invaluable experience, and his hunger to return to the grid is palpable.

Franco Colapinto

Franco Colapinto is another compelling candidate for Sauber’s vacant seat. The Argentine made waves after stepping into Formula 1 mid-season for Williams,

Colapinto’s performance at Williams, quickly adapting to the FW46, scoring points in only his second race in Azerbaijan and just missing out on points in Singapore, has drawn the attention of the paddock.

Williams’ Team Principal, James Vowles, has made it clear he won’t stop the Argentine if an opportunity arises for him to join the grid.

“What we’ve already said is we’re very open-minded. We’re waiting, in that circumstance, for Audi or Sauber to come to us and say, what do you want, what are you interested in? And from there, we can then discuss what it actually means as an implication. But the first stage is more an open discussion,” said Vowles.

If Sauber chooses to roll the dice, Colapinto’s upward trajectory could signal a bold, fresh direction, a young driver with nine races worth of experience by the end of 2024 in Formula 1.

Theo Pourchaire

Theo Pourchaire is Sauber’s own reserve driver and a Formula 2 World Champion. However, his candidacy for the seat presents both concerns and promises. The Frenchman is no stranger to the team—his time as a Sauber Academy driver and reserve while climbing junior formulae ranks has helped him understand how Formula 1 teams work. This, combined with his Formula 2 title speaks to his talent.

However, his path to winning F2 was a slow burn, securing the championship in his third year and with only one win. His sheer consistency and drive to get onto the podium assured the win. Comparisons to drivers like George Russell and Charles Leclerc, who ascended faster, bring into question the reasons why he has taken longer than expected to reach his peak. Was he rushed too soon into the higher formulae?

On the other hand, at just 21 years old, Pourchaire represents the kind of long-term investment Sauber could make in their future. His experience across different series—Formula E, Super Formula, and his short IndyCar stint—also speaks to his versatility and willingness to adapt to new challenges.

There’s also the matter of his inactivity in full-time racing this past year. Although serving as a reserve driver keeps him close to the action, it’s not the same as being on the grid, week in, week out. The sharpness required to thrive in Formula 1 might be dulled, and Pourchaire’s ability to immediately step into Formula 1 might not bring in the results as immediately as wanted.

With strong contenders like Mick Schumacher also in the mix, Pourchaire’s relatively slower rise and recent career turbulence might put him at a disadvantage. Schumacher’s existing Formula 1 experience and larger name recognition might sway Sauber’s decision in his favor.

Pourchaire represents a gamble for Sauber—one that could pay off in the long term, but carries enough risks to give the team pause.

Valtteri Bottas

The likelihood of Sauber securing the services of Valtteri Bottas for 2025 seems slim. Bottas is a proven asset with a résumé that encompasses Williams and Mercedes, his drives helping secure the constructors’ title for the Brackley-based outfit. But as much as his presence offers stability, Sauber must think of the future. Pairing two veterans like Bottas and Hülkenberg may not align with the team’s long-term goals of developing young talent and charting a path for their Audi-backed future.

Gabriel Bortoleto

Then there’s Gabriel Bortoleto, currently leading the Formula 2 standings. While the spotlight has often shone on bigger names like Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Ollie Bearman, Bortoleto has quietly forged his path. His grit, how he adapts to pressure, his occasional brilliance reflect potential that could succeed in the echelons. The Brazilian’s drive from last on the grid to victory in Monza was a testament to this.

His manager, Fernando Alonso, has been vocal in his belief that it’s only a matter of time before Bortoleto steps into the top tier.

The Crossroads

“In the end, the choice is a compromise,” said Binotto. “Ideally you’d have a rookie who is very talented and has a lot of experience, which doesn’t work, so you need to take a decision that is a compromise to what are the requirements and necessities.

“But I don’t think it’s such a difficult decision in the end. We just need to make sure we’re fully convinced in what we are doing. You need to support your choice.

Here lies Sauber’s crossroads: they can embrace the future by taking a chance on a rising star like Bortoleto or Colapinto, or they can play it safe with a known quantity in Bottas, Schumacher or Pourchaire. The decision is delicate, but in a sport that rewards both risk and precision, the right driver could mean the difference between staying in the shadows of the midfield or emerging into the light of F1’s next era.

Perhaps it’s time for Sauber to think not just about the present, but to lay the foundations for their future—one in which potential outweighs the past. By choosing a talent ready to evolve and grow alongside the team, Sauber could set the stage for their resurgence, and position themselves for a stronger comeback in the seasons ahead.