As the Formula 1 circus rolls into Imola, Sauber will mark its 600th Grand Prix, a historic milestone for the Swiss team. Let’s revisit some of the most iconic moments in the journey of this legendary outfit
600 Grands Prix — a staggering figure that speaks volumes about the team’s enduring presence in Formula 1. Founded by the visionary Peter Sauber, a Swiss racing enthusiast with a passion for the fastest machines on Earth, the team began its journey in 1970. A name proudly carried by the team itself, mirroring the tradition of another famous motorsport family a few hundred kilometers further south.
Now competing under the Kick Sauber banner in its final season before transforming into Audi’s official works team in 2026, Sauber hopes to score points at Imola — almost a home race for the team. For over a decade, the Swiss outfit has been powered by Ferrari engines and has played a crucial role in the Scuderia’s development program, becoming a breeding ground for talent. From Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg to Sebastian Vettel, Charles Leclerc, and current Ferrari Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur, Sauber has been instrumental in shaping the careers of many top-tier drivers — with the notable exception of Rosberg, all of them have ended up in Maranello.
The Early Days: The 1990s
Sauber’s story began in 1970, not in Formula 1 but in sports car racing, the same year Jochen Rindt posthumously won the F1 World Championship with Lotus-Ford. In that year, Peter Sauber’s team won its first sports car championship, signaling a future destined for Formula 1.
After a long wait and a prestigious victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1989, as well as back-to-back titles in the World Sportscar Championship (1989 and 1990), Sauber finally entered Formula 1 in 1993. The team’s first F1 car, the C12, featured a strong debut lineup: JJ Lehto and Karl Wendlinger. Sauber finished eighth in the Constructors’ Championship with 12 points — an impressive debut.
Two years later, Sauber celebrated its first-ever podium: at the San Marino GP in 1995, Heinz-Harald Frentzen crossed the line in third. That car, the C14, is particularly memorable as it was an early indicator of the Red Bull era to come — its livery featured a dark blue scheme and prominent Red Bull branding on the sidepods.
From the “Golden Years” to the Present
Sauber’s golden era came in 2007–2008 under the BMW Sauber name. In 2007, the team achieved its best-ever Constructors’ result, finishing second behind Ferrari, after McLaren’s disqualification due to the “Spygate” scandal. That year, Nick Heidfeld secured four podium finishes, including second places in Montréal and Budapest.
The team reached its peak in 2008, when Robert Kubica scored Sauber’s first and only Formula 1 victory at the Canadian Grand Prix. Alongside Heidfeld, Kubica added five more podiums that season, making 2008 the most successful campaign in the team’s history. After several challenging years, 2012 saw a final resurgence, with Sergio Pérez claiming three podiums and Kamui Kobayashi securing a popular third-place finish at his home race in Japan.
Despite enduring financial crises and facing near-collapse in 2015 and 2017, Sauber has never left Formula 1. As of 2024, the team is in the midst of a rebuilding phase, and results have been elusive — 2024 has been their worst season in the last seven years. However, with Audi’s entry in 2026, hopes are high for a return to competitiveness. For now, at Imola, it’s time to celebrate a legacy. 600 races. A story of passion, perseverance, and a quiet but undeniable influence on the sport’s greatest names. History will be honored — and the future eagerly awaited.
Photo: Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber, F1, Wikipedia.com
