The Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber has had a truly astonishing start to the 2025 Formula 1 season. In the opening race of the championship, the Australian Grand Prix, they not only managed to beat Ferrari and climb to sixth place in the constructors’ standings, but they also earned more points than in 2024: the seventh place achieved by Nico Hulkenberg earned 6 points, compared to the 4 points Zhou secured in Qatar in the final moments.
The German, although he has yet to secure a podium in his entire career, remains a driver capable of proving he is top-level in every opportunity. Just think that last year, with Haas, he finished in 11th place with 41 points to his name.
A Magical Start for Nico Hulkenberg, Gabriel Bortoleto Seeks Redemption
A solid start then in his first race with the Sauber team: “Starting immediately with a top-10 result was a great achievement for the team. It gave us a positive boost looking towards China, where we will have to face a weekend with a Sprint race. We need to make the most of every session and gather as much information as possible,” said Nico Hulkenberg in the team’s official columns.
However, the debut didn’t go as well for the 2024 Formula 2 champion, Gabriel Bortoleto, who is very eager for redemption after failing to see the checkered flag at the Australian GP: “I learned a lot at Albert Park, and I can’t wait to put it into practice in Shanghai. The Sprint format will make all activities faster, but I am ready for the challenge. I’ve spent a lot of time in the simulator, and the key for us will be to maximize every lap and put everything together when it matters.”
Mattia Binotto Analyzes the Situation Critically
Also very enthusiastic about the start of the season is COO and CTO Mattia Binotto, who, however, wants to analyze everything objectively to avoid getting carried away by the excitement of the moment: “Australia allowed us to collect crucial data on the car’s behavior due to the changing conditions. This also created opportunities that allowed us to score points. There is still work to be done to improve the car and for us to constantly fight for points. At this stage, we need to capitalize on every opportunity and optimize performance. In Shanghai, we will face the complication of the first Sprint format. We know where we stand and where we need to improve. We are ready,” – the former Ferrari team boss concluded, as reported by Sauber’s official columns.
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