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As the Formula 1 landscape evolves, Sauber is making strategic personnel changes in anticipation of Audi’s entry as a full works team in 2026. The recent decision to replace Valtteri Bottas’ race engineer, Alex Chan, with former Ferrari performance engineer Steven Petrik, is a significant move that aligns with Audi’s vision for the future of the Sauber team.
Alessandro Alunni Bravi, a representative of Sauber, has indicated that these changes are part of a broader plan orchestrated by Audi to “anticipate” the structural evolution required for their 2026 entry. This proactive approach is evident in the early implementation of changes that will transition the current team structure into its final form.
Andreas Seidl, the CEO of Sauber, has been instrumental in driving these changes. His vision for the team’s future is clear, and the integration of new personnel and expertise is reflective of the team’s desire to leverage experience from top teams to enhance their processes and analysis capabilities. Seidl’s leadership is expected to steer the team towards competitive success, with a focus on developing a strong working and personal relationship between Bottas and his new race engineer.
The Introduction of Petrik as Bottas’ race engineer began with the Pirelli test in Suzuka, and the team communicated this change to Bottas after the race in China. Despite the timing coinciding with the announcement of Nico Hulkenberg joining the team in 2025, Alunni Bravi clarified that there was no connection between the two events.
Sauber’s strategic changes are indicative of the team’s commitment to a smooth transition into the Audi era. The early changes are part of a series of steps to establish a new organization that will become the Audi F1 team. With Audi’s complete takeover of Sauber, the German manufacturer is set to accelerate its preparations for its F1 debut, with Oliver Hoffmann, head of Audi’s technical department, taking on many of the responsibilities usually afforded to team principals.
The focus now is on establishing a strong working and personal relationship between Bottas and Petrik. This is crucial for the team’s performance and success as they prepare for the significant changes that the Audi partnership will bring. Time will tell how these decisions will impact the team’s future performance and dynamics, but the early signs suggest that Sauber is positioning itself well for the challenges ahead.
As the F1 world watches closely, Sauber’s strategic maneuvers under Audi’s guidance could very well set a precedent for how teams adapt to the ever-changing demands of the sport. The integration of new talent, coupled with the experience of existing team members, is poised to create a formidable force on the grid come 2026.
