SAUBER wants to show Audi “a positive tendency” with comprehensive F1 2025 development

Save The inaugural race of the 2025 season of Formula 1 is abusive with its upgradation cycle, and the Swiss team aims to show Audi “a positive tendency” and at the same time to improve its processes back on the basis.

The Hinville team has introduced a modified floor and rear wing assembly for Japanese Grand Prix, first tested a new front wing in Australia and new sides in China. This follows the team from the busy end to 2024, in which it greatly increases the speed with its rhythm of updates.

Performance Director Stephano Sordo pointed to the “poor” season that the team tolerated in 2024, in which he chose only four points in the eighth place of Zhou Gunu in Qatar. After this a new floor started, which needed a lot to Sauber, if it was not delayed, it promoted it.

Asked by Autosport whether Sauber had changed its view, it was that the consensus was that it had increased the upgradation of the early season on a large scale to focus on its resources on 2026 preparations in 2024, Sardo explained that the team also expanded its development to improve its infrastructure.

“We clearly had a very bad weather last year, and the reality is that with the arrival of Audi, we have to show that we are in a positive tendency,” Sordo explained.

“Don’t forget that as we develop a car, a very important thing that you also develop tools, and the device will always help you develop in the next car.

“I think to develop a good 2026 car, we have to develop a equipment to keep a decent car together this year – it is clearly important to develop a car. It was a fundamental idea.”

Sardo said that the team has targeted the increase in the downforce with its new floor, although in this way that does not compromise on the conductivity of its C45 chassis.

He was open to develop in the floor stages – with the defuse, floor fence and edge for Suzuka with Safeer. This, Sordo explained, allowed it to be reactive to any change, which may be necessary for any other surfaces.

“The edge is quite difficult to find where you can push (design); We collect a lot of data on the track, and you try to check all the equipment to keep it in mind, but it is very easy to get greedy and fall from the edge.

“These cars are very difficult in that regard, many teams are back in the last few designs, obviously jumping is an issue.

“The floor has been developed in stages – let’s say three steps. The first phase is the main surface, and then stage two and stage three, more of details.

“Stage to and stage three come later, so you have got time to react to it. We try to bake at that time so that we can react to car issues.

“We want to develop aerodynamics, let’s say, as much as possible, but we always react, especially in the final two stages of the design.

“This is a detailed work, but I think it is too much about the exact detailed work on these cars which makes a big difference.”