Fan’s favorite car brand is coming back to F1, Kick Sauber could change their name next year

Formula 1 Team names and Sponsors are very important for identity and money flow in the sport. We have seen many teams change their names because of changes in sponsors or someone buying a stake in the Formula 1 team. 

Running a Formula 1 team is not the easiest job in the world as it involves huge amounts of money and facilities. In the past, we have seen many teams change their name like Racing Point to Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo to Kick Sauber, Toro Rosso to Visa Cash App RB, Mclaren Honda to McLaren Mercedes .etc.

Audi Entering F1 in 2026

Shaping the @F1 future together: #Audi x Sauber. The strategic partnership with the Sauber Group is the next milestone on the road to Formula 1. The Swiss squad will be competing as an Audi factory team from 2026 ⁰>> https://t.co/RbuOKZCY6J#F1 #Formula1 #news pic.twitter.com/cIcWExJ1NQ

— Audi (@AudiOfficial) October 26, 2022

We could see one of the fans’ Favourite car brands entering Formula 1 after so many years taking control of the now Stake F1 Kick Sauber team. The German car brand Audi is officially entering the toughest car race in 2026. Sauber was a brand well known in F1 as they have been racing for the past 30 years. In 1993 when the team officially entered Formula 1 they partnered with Mercedes and were named as Mercedes-Benz Sauber. At that time they were the Red Bull Liveried team driving in iconic navy and yellow cars. 

Red Bull then purchased Jaguar to have their team in Formula 1 which left Sauber looking into other options. Then BMW came into the party and Sauber became BMW’s Factory racing team. It had the most successful drivers like Nick Heidfield and Robert Kubica and it also debuted the 4 time World champion Sebastian Vettel. 

They became independent in 2010 and again partnered with Alfa Romeo in 2019. Now they are called Stake F1 Kick Sauber which is not a very catchy name for a Formula 1 team. But from 2026 Audi will be taking over operations from Sauber and we may see a new name for the team next year itself. 

Stake F1 Kick Sauber Team is now valued at 470 million euros. Next year Stake will be leaving Sauber and only Kick will stay with the team. Because Stake is a gambling brand Sauber had to drop the name in many countries this year like Belgium, Australia, Spain, and Qatar due to gambling laws in those countries.

Audi is one of the most loved car brands around the world and the auto major entering Formula 1 will be a good thing for Sauber and the sport as it could draw more interest. Former Ferrari Boss Mattia Binotto will take over Audi’s F1 Project and he will be aiming to make an impression from the first year. They have already signed the German driver Nico Hulkenberg and they are now in pursuit of a second driver.

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