Sauber now eyeing three current F1 drivers ahead of Audi takeover in 2026

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Sauber are slowing preparing to become the works Audi team in 2026 and will want the best drivers possible to lead them into the next era of their Formula 1 history.

The team – who were known as Alfa Romeo this year – will change names again ahead of the 2024 season.

But when the next major regulations change is implemented in F1, the famous four rings associated with the German manufacturer will be on the grid.

They will also become a power unit supplier, creating competition with Honda, Ferrari, Mercedes, Renault and in the future General Motors.

It’s an exciting time for Formula 1 as they welcome a huge name in the automotive industry to the paddock.

The only disappointment for some will be that they’re not starting their own team up and introducing two new cars to the grid, as opposed to taking over an existing team.

Sauber currently employ Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas as their two drivers, but that might change by the time Audi join the team.

Zhou and Bottas both only have contracts until the end of 2024 and with plenty of changes expected on the grid next year, there could be two new faces in their garage soon.

Sauber could look at three new drivers before Audi partnership

Speaking on The Race F1 Podcast, journalist Edd Straw was discussing the potential changes within the team and said: “They’ve got money coming in, they’ve got the Audi gear up.

“There’s lots of drivers they’re being linked with. People like Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon, Esteban Ocon, they want to upgrade their driver line-up.

“So, it’s very difficult again to see how [Theo] Pourchaire becomes a part of that landscape.”

The three drivers Straw names that Sauber could consider when Audi take over are very interesting.

There has already been talk that Ferrari are unsure about retaining Carlos Sainz past this season.

He would be a real coup considering he was the only driver that managed to prevent a clean sweep of wins for Red Bull in 2023.

Alex Albon is deserving of a drive in a faster car than Williams and with Audi set to become a works team, it might be a gamble but an attractive option.

Esteban Ocon has been a midfield runner throughout his Formula 1 career but the next 12 months might determine whether he thinks Alpine can serve his needs and vice versa.

There will be plenty of options on the table for Sauber as they prepare for Audi’s introduction to Formula 1.

It’s going to be fascinating with which partnership they choose to go forward with.