Guenther Steiner picks who he would sign for vacant 2025 Sauber seat

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Sauber have one of just two vacant seats left on the Formula 1 grid ahead of the 2024 season, which will be alongside their veteran signing – Nico Hulkenberg.

The only other team yet to announce their full line-up is Visa Cash App RB, who are likely to lean in the direction of young Kiwi Liam Lawson.

There are plenty of options that Sauber (who become Audi in 2026) could go with, including current driver Valtteri Bottas and Formula 2 championship leader Gabriel Bortoleto.

It’s all about whether they would prefer some more experience, or want to mix it up with more youth in their setup during the final year of the current technical regulations.

Guenther Steiner would ‘take the risk’ on Franco Colapinto

One driver who has put his name in the mix out of nowhere is Williams driver Franco Colapinto with some refreshingly impressive performances.

Although his current team have no available seats for 2025, he might have forced himself into the frame for a Sauber seat.

Former Haas boss Guenther Steiner has been discussing the young Argentine, and whether he would take a punt on his services.

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“I would, I’m really deciding on Colapinto at the moment,” he told Champ1. “As I said, I would have to talk to the man. I don’t know that’s why it’s always easy to talk when you’re not involved.

“I know I don’t know what kind of guy [he is]. Is he a team player, you would have to check everything. In terms of performance, I’ll take the risk, I’ll give him an annual contract if he’s good and can keep up with Nico Hulkenberg.”

When will Sauber make their driver line-up decision?

Sauber may want to see how the rest of the Formula 1 season (Bottas and Colapinto) and the Formula 2 championship picture (Bortoleto) pans out before making a decision.

One of the three could end the year in stellar fashion and be left without a seat, and making a premature choice is something they will want to avoid.

But that will mean having to wait another two months, which is something they may not be able to afford to do as they ramp up preparations for the 2025 season.

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If Colapinto fails to find a breakthrough, then he could go back to Formula 2 and compete there for another season.

That’s because only the winner of the title is excluded from competing again – which could be a problem for current drivers’ championship leader Bortoleto if he doesn’t secure a seat.

It would leave him without a drive in either of the top two formulae and to sign as a reserve or test driver for a team as he wants for an opportunity.