All you need to know about the F1 team Kick Sauber

Kick Sauber, formerly known as Alfa Romeo F1 Team, is a Swiss Formula 1 team that has undergone several transformations over its long history. Based in Hinwil, Switzerland, the team shifted under Stake F1 Team Kick in the 2024 season, performing with the name Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber. The shift serves as a transitional identity ahead of becoming the Audi works team in 2026. Sauber is the only Swiss team in F1 history. The team built its own wind tunnel, which is still used by other teams. It was the first F1 team to give Felipe Massa, Kimi Raikkonen, and Charles Leclerc their early opportunities in the sport.

History and legacy of Kick Sauber in F1

The roots of Kick Sauber trace back to 1993 when Peter Sauber introduced the Sauber team to Formula 1. It gained respect as an independent outfit with strong engineering despite limited financial resources. The team later entered a partnership with BMW in 2006, competing as BMW Sauber and achieving its best season in 2008, when it finished 3rd in the Constructors' Championship.

After BMW's withdrawal in 2009, Sauber returned to private ownership and continued racing under various guises. In 2018, it was rebranded as Alfa Romeo Racing through a partnership with the iconic Italian brand, before adopting the current Kick Sauber branding in 2024.

While Kick Sauber hasn’t produced a world champion, it has nurtured drivers who went on to achieve greatness. Most notably, Kimi Raikkonen, who debuted with Sauber in 2001, later became 2007 World Champion with Ferrari. Moreover, Sebastian Vettel tested with Sauber before joining Toro Rosso and eventually becoming a four-time World Champion.

Current performance and roster

For the 2025 season, Kick Sauber transitioned to feature an all-new driver pairing with Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto. Hulkenberg, the experienced German driver returned to the grid, bringing a wealth of knowledge and consistency to the team.​ Gabriel Bortoleto, meanwhile, is a 20-year-old Brazilian rookie and 2023 FIA Formula 3 champion. The Brazilian made his Formula 1 debut, becoming the first full-time Brazilian F1 driver since Felipe Massa.

Kick Sauber has struggled to score points regularly, often stuck in midfield battles and battling reliability issues. However, the team is focused on development, especially with Audi’s full-scale entry approaching. With Audi taking over in 2026, Kick Sauber is laying the groundwork for a major step forward.