Kick Sauber, the bright green and black team we see on the Formula 1 grid, has a conundrum. For the 2025 season, Kick Sauber announces Nico Hulkenberg. The first driver of the two heading into the final season, we see the Kick Sauber team.
Why? Due to the German manufacturer, Audi, making its Formula 1 debut in 2026. This means that the Green team are going under conversion into red and black.
But before we say goodbye to the Kick Sauber team. One seat is still vacant alongside the 2010 Brazilian Grand Prix Polesitter for 2025. Currently, Kick Sauber’s roster occupies the likes of Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, which require hard questions. Who partners up alongside the German driver? And who will get the boot? Or will Kick see themselves to look beyond their current roster? Let’s find out…
Valtteri Bottas
The number 77 driver proves he is currently a valuable driver on the market, given the nature of his calibre during his time at Mercedes. Achieving 10 race wins with a further 67 podiums is an experience that proves vital in Kick’s ambition to score points next season. 13th is the highest position so far this season that Bottas has achieved in his Sauber C44, a position that he will be looking to improve coming back from the summer break.
But more importantly, should Kick Sauber keep Bottas? The Finnish brings vast knowledge from his race craft to winning victories. This knowledge would prove valuable to every team searching for more points, especially wins currently in the sport. His experience sets him apart from drivers above the 34-year-old driver in the championship. But with one entire season left in Formula 1, could Kick Sauber exploit the maximum out of Valtteri in the hope of achieving it? Is only an endeavour we can only see to pan out.
In contrast, could it be time for Kick Sauber to let the former Mercedes go? Audi’s ambition to create a German roster is the biggest threat to Bottas’ retention at Kick Sauber. At the same time, Nico Hulkenberg became the first domino in Audi’s grand entry in 2026. The German manufacturer influences who they want to partner with the current Haas driver. While it is still a factor, Bottas is in prime contention to keep his seat in the team based in Zurich.
Zhou Guanyu
One of the youngest drivers on the grid, Zhou Guanyu. He made his Formula 1 debut in 2022 and is in his third season at the pinnacle of motorsport. His highest position is 8th in his maiden season at the 2022 Canadian Grand Prix. But from Alfa Romeo to Kick Sauber, the young Chinese driver hasn’t been allowed to show his prowess, with a car currently at the bottom of the constructors championship.
Can the Chinese driver outshine his more experienced team-mate to retain his seat? As stated before, Zhou has not been given a car to demonstrate his calibre; while that may be an oversight, the 25-year-old driver’s chances of staying at the green are significantly low for two reasons. The first is his more experienced teammate, with race wins and more technical knowledge to offer the team. Zhou’s inexperience is mainly his downfall. It is unfortunate, as he has repeatedly proven that he can fight in the midfield to score points.
But can Zhou retain his in any shape or form? That decision would only be detrimental to the second half of the season if Zhou could begin to score points for the green team. And for his chances to become more sustainable is to beat Bottas on track, finishing ahead of the Finnish is their bid to seal their first-ever point.
Kick Sauber to Look in the Driver Market?
Kick Sauber has not pinned their interest on someone outside of the current roster besides Valtteri Bottas. Sky Sports F1’s Karun Chandok and Martin Brundle took to the Sky Pad during the Belgium Grand Prix weekend and mentioned that Bottas will hang on to the second Kick Sauber seat. Why? Martin Brundle clarified that as the Sauber works team transitions into Audi, they will need experience—the experience on the track to build a competitive car for their arrival in 2026.
And while the predicted roster of Nico Hulkenberg and Valtteri Bottas does not possess championship-winning material, Brundle remains adamant that race wins and on-track experience remain key. However, from what the Formula 1 community is coming to understand, Valtteri Bottas could stay for the 2025 season, while his younger team-mate Zhou Guanyu is unfortunately shown the door.
If you would like to learn more news about the world of Formula 1? Then why not check out “The German Grand Prix: Will F1 Make a Return?” or “The Uncertain Future of the ‘Honey Badger’ for 2025“
Image Credit: Deposit Photos
