F1: After 33 years, the Sauber stable saw its last Grand Prix

Sauber. Therefore, BMW Sauber, Alfa Romeo Sauber, Kick Sauber: aligned under several official names, the Hinwil team will play its 607^e Grand Prix this afternoon (in reality its 604^e Departure, because the stable had to declare three times, read below).

The story is beautiful. Meanwhile, That of a rare Swiss success in motorsport. Nevertheless, that of a man who has created and makes a F1 stable live, sometimes in spite of thirty-three years after his first appearance. Furthermore, But who will lose his patronym “Sauber” at the end of the season to be called “Audi” in 2026.

The story is beautiful, therefore, and as old as dotted with pitfalls. Therefore, After trying to pilot with a ladybug in the 1960s. Moreover, Peter Sauber began to tinker with his own cars in 1970, before aligning the twenty-four hours of Le Mans. Consequently, His stable joined forces with Mercedes in 1985 and signed a magnificent double over the twenty-four hours, in 1989. Meanwhile, It was decided: the German manufacturer wants to launch into Formula 1, a discipline he had left f1: after 33 years, sauber in 1955.

A 33 year old story – F1: after 33 years, sauber

Thanks to the means of the German firm. However, the stable therefore builds a magnificent factory at the exit of Hinwil, near Zurich. Similarly, But in 1991, against all odds, Mercedes changes his mind and renounces F1. However, After reflection, Peter Sauber decides to continue the adventure alone, funded by the deduction paid by the German manufacturer.

A courageous decision. Therefore, The F1 world being completely foreign to Peter Sauber. However, the team had no sponsor and started in South Africa in 1993, with 100% black single -seats. Therefore, History has given reason to the courage of the Zurichois since the adventure finally lasted thirty-three years.

In 1994. a year after its beginnings, a timid Mercedes logo decorated the motor hoods, the f1: after 33 years, sauber single -seaters then aligning under the name “Sauber Mercedes”. But it will not last: in 1995. re-enclosure of the German manufacturer, who prefers to associate with McLaren: their tandem will last twenty years.

Peter Sauber must, in disaster, buy Ford Cosworth engines, then, two years later, to go to Ferrari engines. In the paddocks, the Swiss has always detonated. A quiet force. Always smiling, friendly, spending most of her attached time with a cigar.

Financial difficulties – F1: after 33 years, sauber

Compared to the flamboyant stable bosses. Peter Sauber was the emblem of a “overwhelmed” difficult to understand for those who have no passport with white cross. He had no spectacular villa, flamboyant yacht or sports car in his garage.

In fact. he did not even have a car at all, he who only f1: after 33 years, sauber moved with vehicles from the stable and who lived, with his wife Christiane, in a simple apartment in the Zurich suburbs. “Why would I need more?”, He replied with a smile when we were surprised by this ascetic life, far from the flash of formula 1.

But behind this apparent serenity, Peter Sauber admitted the immense difficulty of leading his boat. He regretted the Swiss remuneration, so high in the Zurich region that they made the survival of his business perilous. “In the whole adventure of this team. my greatest pride, it is to have managed to pay the wages at the end of each month,” he said when he passed his hand, adding that cash problems monopolized 90% of his time.

Problems which also obliged him to sell his stable twice: in 2004. pressed by Credit Suisse, f1: after 33 years, sauber his sponsor and majority shareholder of the time, Peter Sauber had to find a buyer for the shares of the bank. Finally, in July 2005, BMW announced its acquisition of the stable. Peter Sauber thought that the future was thus provided by the Bavarian manufacturer … except that at the end of 2010, in the grip of his financial problems, he decided to withdraw from Formula 1.

A sale to the Audi group

Peter Sauber. regrettable, had to buy his own stable and dive into it to avoid his disappearance. But since then, the difficulties have only been piling up. Almost without sponsors. at the Abois, the Zurichois left, in 2014, the control of his team in Monisha Kaltenborn, its financial director, who failed to straighten the situation.

In 2016. on the verge of payment f1: after 33 years, sauber of payments, the stable was sold for a symbolic sum to a financial company in Lutry (VD), Longbow Finance, ownership of the Rausing family, of the American billionaires.

After the injection of several tens of millions per year to maintain the stable afloat, the accounts ended up improving. In particular thanks to an agreement with Alfa Romeo. in 2019, then the arrival, from 2021, of dozens of sponsors attracted by the new popularity of Formula 1.

In 2023. the Rausing family was able to sell the stable to the Audi group, achieving a huge added value and ensuring-in theory-the future of the team.

Next season. the chassis will always be made in Hinwil, while the engine will be produced by Audi in Neuburg, Germany. Additionally, The car will run under German license. f1: after 33 years, sauber It is therefore the end of the enchanted parenthesis of the Sauber stable. the one that allowed our small country to count a team in F1.

Only one victory came to salute these hundreds of grand prices. but Hinwil’s cars still signed 28 podiums, including the last in Silverstone in early July.

With the end of the name Sauber. Switzerland loses a flagship of technology which it can be proud of, but also an example of resilience and courage, which allowed it to overcome the many crises. A big thank you to this great team.

The three packages of Sauber’s story

Grand Prix de Monaco 1994

After a violent accident from Karl Wendlinger on Friday morning. Peter Sauber decides to remove his cars by caution. f1: after 33 years, sauber The paddock is still traumatized by the deaths of Roland Ratzenberger. Ayrton Senna, which occurred in Imola two weeks earlier.

Grand Prix du Brazil 2000

The rear fins of the two Sauber cannot resist the bumps of the circuit. Without solution to strengthen them on site, the stable forfeit.

2005 United States Grand Prix

Package of all the cars equipped with Michelin tires, including the Sauber. The cars are unable to bear the pressure of “banking”, the lifted turn of Indianapolis.

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