Ranking the top 10 Sauber drivers of all time ahead of Audi’s 2026 Formula 1 takeover

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After 22 years and 510 Grand Prix entered, Sauber are entering the final triple header of their Formula 1 history.

Sauber made their debut on the F1 grid at the 1993 South African Grand Prix with JJ Lehto getting the team off to the perfect start by finishing fifth and scoring two precious points.

Over the years, Sauber have had many identities, working with BMW and Alfa Romeo previously.

The team are now officially known as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, but next year, they’ll simply be known as Audi.

Audi have hopes of winning the constructors’ championship by 2030, which, considering Sauber only achieved a single victory and pole position in their 22-year history, is a huge claim.

Looking back at the 23 seasons that the Swiss team have been on the grid, and including all of their various identities and guises, we’ve named the top 10 drivers from their time on the grid, with a cult hero occupying the number one spot.

A special shoutout has to go to Jean Alesi and Valtteri Bottas, who narrowly missed out on this list.

The Finn’s final pointless season in 2024 counted against him when he was beaten by Zhou Guanyu, and Alesi was the only driver to finish on the podium for Sauber and not make the list.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Sauber from team principal to 2026 Audi future

10. Felipe Massa (2002, 2004-05) – 52 races, 27 points, no podiums

Felipe Massa produced his best performances in Formula 1 for Williams and Ferrari, but still played an important role for Sauber during two separate stints, where he made his debut in 2002.

He outscored teammate Jacques Villeneuve in 2005 and came very close to Giancarlo Fisichella at the beginning of his career.

Massa has since been offering advice to Bortoleto off the back of his time with Sauber more than 20 years ago.

9. Johnny Herbert (1996-98) – 49 races, 20 points, two podiums

Johnny Herbert swapped Benetton for Sauber in 1996 after finishing fourth in the drivers’ championship.

He only finished in the points once that year, coming third in Monaco when Olivier Panis won one of Formula 1’s craziest races.

Herbert scored his second podium for Sauber the following year and finished 10th in the championship before a tricky 1998 season where he only recorded one top-six finish.

8. Charles Leclerc (2018) – 21 races, 39 points, no podiums

Charles Leclerc is the only driver on this list who spent only one year at Sauber, but it turned out to be the springboard he needed to fulfil his dream of racing for Ferrari.

Leclerc scored 39 points and dominated his more experienced teammate Marcus Ericsson in the process.

Gabriel Bortoleto has reminded Sauber staff of Leclerc this season, which is a serious compliment for the Brazilian rookie.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

7. Nico Hulkenberg (2013, 2025-) – 38 races, 94 points, one podium

Nico Hulkenberg is the only driver on the list who still has a chance of improving his ranking before Audi’s takeover is officially complete.

The German managed to finish in the top 10 of the championship during his first season with Sauber in 2013, earning a move to Force India in the process.

He’s currently sitting ninth in the standings in 2025, thanks largely in part to Hulkenberg finally securing his first career podium after 239 starts at the 2025 British Grand Prix.

READ MORE: Sauber driver Nico Hulkenberg’s life outside F1 from wife to height

6. Kamui Kobayashi (2010-12) – 58 races, 122 points, one podium

No Japanese driver in Formula 1 history has scored more points than Kamui Kobayashi, at the time of writing.

Kobayashi’s podium at the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix is also the last time a Japanese driver finished in the top three of a Formula 1 race, and was earned during his time at Sauber.

He finished 12th in the drivers’ championship in each of his three campaigns with the team before losing his seat, eventually returning in 2014 with Caterham.

5. Heinz-Harald Frentzen (1994-96, 2002-03) – 64 races, 42 points, two podiums

Like Herbert, Heinz-Harald Frentzen was one of the early trailblazers for Sauber, joining the team in 1994.

He was the first driver ever to finish on the podium for Sauber at the 1995 Belgian Grand Prix and also the first of the team’s drivers to finish in the top 10 in the drivers’ championship.

Three years at Sauber led to Frentzen being signed by Williams to replace Damon Hill, a decision Sir Frank Williams later described as a mistake.

4. Kimi Raikkonen (2001, 2019-21) – 74 races, 66 points, no podiums

Whether Kimi Raikkonen’s second spell at Sauber technically counts is up for debate, as the team were known as Alfa Romeo at the time.

He finished 12th, 16th and 16th during those three years, but it was the Iceman’s debut F1 season with Sauber that turned heads.

His rapid ascension into Formula 1 saw him secure a top 10 championship finish and grab the attention of Ron Dennis at McLaren, who snapped him up after an incredible rookie campaign.

3. Sergio Perez (2011-12) – 37 races, 80 points, three podiums

Sergio Perez only spent two years with Sauber, but they were the foundation on which he built one of the longest careers in F1 history.

Perez’s second year with the team was seriously impressive, leading to three podium finishes alongside Kobayashi and a fastest lap at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Known at the time, via AutoMedia, as the ‘Mexican Wunderkid’, Perez would follow Raikkonen’s career path and head to McLaren, turning down the chance to race for Ferrari in the process.

READ MORE: Cadillac driver Sergio Perez’s life outside F1 from net worth to nickname

2. Nick Heidfeld (2001-03, 2006-10) – 125 races, 196 points, nine podiums

Only one driver in Sauber’s history ever took part in more than 100 races for the team, and that was Nick Heidfeld.

Heidfeld has the record for most podiums in F1 without a win (13) and earned nine of those top-three finishes while at Sauber over two spells.

He was part of the duo that led BMW Sauber to their two best-ever finishes in the constructors’ championship in 2007 and 2008, although they couldn’t ever claim a much-coveted title.

1. Robert Kubica (2006-09, 2021) – 59 races, 137 points, one win, nine podiums, one pole position

Robert Kubica is widely regarded as one of the most talented drivers of his generation, and a rallying accident denied him a move to Ferrari and a potential championship charge.

Kubica claimed Sauber’s only ever victory at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix, and their sole pole position in Bahrain earlier that year.

After retiring from F1, Kubica claimed Sauber never fulfilled their potential, and successor, Audi will be hoping they don’t fall into the same trap once they’re on the grid.