‘I hate to use the word’… David Croft warns 27-podium F1 team they may no longer be ‘relevant’ soon

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David Croft has sent a warning to a Formula 1 team about their future with their torrid run of form in the 2024 season.

Sauber have a rich history in F1, having debuted in the sport in 1993. In that time, the Swiss outfit have secured one race win – coming from Robert Kubica at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix – and 27 podiums.

However, Sauber have fallen on hard times in recent years. Heading into the Mexico City Grand Prix, they are the only team yet to score point in 2024.

Drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu have desperately struggled to get the most out of the C44, with Zhou registered the team’s best finish of 11th at the season opener in Bahrain.

While Sauber are drowning at the back of the field on the track, they are making huge strides to improve their fortunes off of it. The Swiss outfit will become Audi in 2026 as a factory team.

David Croft warns Sauber could be no longer ‘relevant’ in F1 if they cannot improve their form

Mattia Binotto has joined Sauber as their COO, while Jonathan Wheatley will be leaving Red Bull at the end of the year to become their team principal.

While these signings do put them in good stead for the future with Audi, Sauber will need to dramatically improve their form on the track in 2025.

Speaking during the Sky Sports F1 coverage of FP3 at the Mexico City Grand Prix, Croft stressed how big of a task Binotto and Wheatley have on their hands and that they could lose their relevancy in 2025 if their performances do not pick up.

“It’s a huge job Mattia Binotto has got on his hands, and Jonathan Wheatley will be the new team principal next year.

“But to ease that transition from Sauber to Audi and to keep them, I hate to use the word relevant, but competitively relevant during the course of next season as well.”

Sauber are still searching for their second driver in 2025

Sauber have already confirmed the signing of Nico Hulkenberg on a multi-year deal that will see him become an Audi works driver come 2026. The Swiss team are yet to confirm the German’s teammate for next year, and they are looking at several potential options to fill the vacancy.

Bottas is understood to be the favourite to retain his seat, while Zhou is expected to move into a reserve driver role for the 2025 campaign.

But Sauber are also exploring candidates outside of their current crop of drivers. Binotto has confirmed talks with Mick Schumacher over a potential return to F1 after a two -year absence.

Gabriel Bortoleto is also an option for the team, but McLaren are unwilling to let the Brazilian leave on a permanent basis. Franco Colapinto has been told to continue his impressive form at Williams to land the drive at Sauber, with the Grove-based outfit looking to keep the Argentine developing in F1.