As the 2024 Formula 1 season nears its end, with just three races remaining, teams that are no longer fighting for major positions are already looking ahead to the 2025 season. One notable team making changes is Sauber, which recently announced it will part ways with drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu after this season. The decision to replace both drivers comes after a challenging period, as Bottas and Zhou have failed to score any points in their combined 42 races this year.
In a statement, Sauber expressed gratitude for both drivers’ professionalism and contributions over the past three years. “After open and constructive discussions with Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, we mutually concluded that conditions to continue together could not be met, so we agreed that it is time to part ways,” the team stated. They also thanked both drivers for supporting the team’s growth despite the challenges they faced.
The announcement has sparked a wave of dissatisfaction among fans, who have been critical of Sauber’s performance this season. Many supporters believe that the blame lies with the car rather than the drivers, with several users in online forums referring to the Sauber C44 car as “a tractor.” One fan remarked, “Valtteri could still be an effective second driver if he wasn’t driving a tractor,” which garnered thousands of likes. Others echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that the car’s performance, rather than the drivers, was the main issue.
In terms of the future, Sauber has reportedly signed veteran Nico Hulkenberg, who has 224 career F1 starts, and 20-year-old Gabriel Bortoleto as their replacements for 2025. This marks a significant shift for the team as they aim to regroup and rebuild. The departure of Bottas and Zhou comes after a difficult season, as last year, with the Alfa Romeo C43 car, they had managed to score 16 points, a considerable improvement from this season.
