Who is the new F1 team for Alfa Romeo?
Sauber will be rebranded as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber for the 2024 Formula 1 campaign, following the departure of their title sponsor Alfa Romeo. The Swiss team will operate under this banner for the next two seasons before rebranding as Audi in 2026 when they become the German manufacturer’s works squad. Audi announced their intention to acquire Sauber—who debuted in 1993—and its Swiss facilities in 2022, ahead of new power unit and chassis regulations in 2026.Thanks for the memories, Sauber 🥰 As the team transitions into Audi in 2026, Abu Dhabi 2025 marks the final race for the ‘Sauber’ name in F1.
Why is Alfa Romeo not in F1 anymore?
Alfa Romeo did not have any technical involvement with the team, and the company ended its sponsorship of Sauber after 2023 and left Formula One to allow the team to be taken over by Audi from 2026. Alfa Romeo just got a big investment, but things aren’t going well. Despite the brand’s brand-new billion-euro platform, which underpinned the Giulia and Stelvio, the automaker failed to sell very well (despite the former driving rather well).
Who bankrupted Lotus F1?
F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen nearly bankrupted the Lotus team by being too good. His contract said that he would be awarded €50,000 for every championship point scored. Lotus thought their car would be so uncompetitive that year that it would not be a problem. Kimi went on to score 207 points. Kimi Raikkonen admits he is leaving Lotus because of a payment dispute. Kimi Raikkonen says he made the decision to rejoin Ferrari next season after Lotus failed to pay his salary, with the Finn admitting he will still fulfil his duties over the final seven races of his contract.