News
‘The decision is approaching’ – Alunni Bravi reflects on Sainz’s prospects for Kick Sauber drive in 2025
Share
Kick Sauber Team Representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi has set out what the team are looking for in their second driver for 2025, as well as assessing what Carlos Sainz could bring to the squad should he opt to join them.
Having already announced that Nico Hulkenberg will switch to the outfit next year – ahead of their transition into being Audi’s works team in 2026 – Kick Sauber remain in discussions with several drivers over the remaining vacancy.
PADDOCK INSIDER: The key factor distracting Sainz from his massive 2025 decision
Amid ongoing developments in the driver market, Alunni Bravi says that the team are looking for a candidate who is keen to be a part of their project for the long-term.
“I think that, in terms of drivers line-up, we have been quite clear,” the Italian said on Friday ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix. “Audi will enter Formula 1 in 2026, we will be the factory team of Audi, but this is the start of a long journey to Formula 1, so the first step of a long and important project for the Audi Volkswagen Group.
Alunni Bravi: ‘We’re speaking with a lot of drivers – including Sainz’
“And of course we are speaking with a lot of drivers, including Carlos Sainz. That is of course the most important for the people, especially here in Spain. But we want drivers that have a long commitment with us, we want drivers that will start together with us this long journey.
“This is one of the elements that we are discussing with every driver, and of course now the decision is approaching, because we want all to know exactly who will be together with us next year, in the next few seasons, because we also need to start working on next year’s car and drivers is an important element.
2025 F1 GRID: All the driver and team line-ups confirmed so far
“But I think the starting point for us is this – we want a driver that will be committed with us for the long-term.”
Sainz is yet to announce which team he will be racing for in 2025
Much speculation has centred around Sainz’s next destination, with both Williams and Kick Sauber making no secret of their interest in having the Spaniard race for them in 2025.
In terms of what the current Ferrari driver could offer the squad should they acquire his services, Alunni Bravi responded: “I think drivers like Carlos, like Nico Hulkenberg that we have signed, can bring many, many things – experience, raw speed, motivation.
“But there are other drivers also on the market with this characteristic. I think that the level of Formula 1 is really high and we are targeting to improve our performance, also thanks to the driver that is always the most important performance differentiator.
“I don’t want to speak all about Carlos because this would be not respectful for all the other drivers that we are discussing. They have the same characteristics – speed, experience, and the talent to be part of an important project.”
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
VideoF1 Unlocked WATCH: Kick Sauber get things going at F1 75 Live with striking livery reveal
Image GalleryF1 Unlocked GALLERY: All the angles of Red Bull’s F1 livery for the 2025 campaign
FeatureF1 Unlocked F1 75 Live Launch Quiz: Were you watching all the action from The O2?
Image GalleryF1 Unlocked GALLERY: Check out Aston Martin’s AMR25 livery after F1 75 Live reveal
