Kick Sauber has turned things around in the 2025 Formula 1 season after a tough 2024. After finishing at the bottom last season, the team has impressively moved up to seventh place at the halfway point of 2025. With new drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber has shown great improvement. The team has delivered strong performances, including a podium finish in Britain and some standout drives from their rookie driver. Here’s a look at Sauber’s performance so far this season.
Hulkenberg’s Podium Finish: A Dream Come True
Nico Hulkenberg’s third-place finish at the British Grand Prix was the highlight of Kick Sauber’s season. The 38-year-old German secured his first-ever podium in his 239th Grand Prix start. The result was even more special given the tricky wet-dry conditions, with Hulkenberg climbing from 19th on the grid to finish on the podium.
“It’s been a long time coming, hasn’t it?” Hulkenberg said after the race. “I always knew we have it in us, and I have it in me somewhere.”
This podium was Sauber’s first since Kamui Kobayashi’s third-place finish at the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix. It was a big moment for both Hulkenberg and the team, showing that persistence can pay off.
Qualifying Head-to-Head: Bortoleto Takes the Lead
The qualifying battle between Hulkenberg and Bortoleto has been close, with Bortoleto slightly ahead. The rookie driver holds a 6-8 lead in qualifying results. One of his best moments was in Hungary, where he qualified seventh, his best result of the season so far.
In comparison, Hulkenberg’s best grid position was 11th in Canada, and his season in qualifying has been a bit of a mixed bag.
Race Head-to-Head: Hulkenberg Leads the Way
While Bortoleto has had the edge in qualifying, Hulkenberg leads in race results, with an 8-5 advantage. Hulkenberg has shown his skill in racing, particularly in Spain and Canada, where he finished fifth and eighth despite starting further down the grid. His best race, of course, was his podium finish at Silverstone.
Bortoleto has also had some impressive race results, especially in Austria, Belgium, and Hungary. His sixth-place finish in Hungary showed just how much he has grown as a driver.
Best and Worst Moments of the Season
Hulkenberg’s podium at Silverstone is easily the best moment of the season, but Bortoleto’s sixth-place finish in Hungary also deserves a mention. However, the team has faced challenges. Hulkenberg was disqualified from the Bahrain Grand Prix for excessive skid block wear, which was a setback. Bortoleto has also faced problems, with three retirements in Australia, Miami, and Silverstone. His British Grand Prix ended after a poor tyre choice, causing him to spin out.
Looking Ahead: Can Sauber Close the Gap to the Top Five?
With the team just one point behind Aston Martin and 19 points behind Williams, Sauber is in a good position to finish in the top five by the end of the 2025 season. The team has shown strong progress, and with ten races left, they are still in the fight for midfield supremacy.
Sauber’s transformation into Audi next season also gives the team extra motivation to keep improving. If they can maintain their current form, a top-five finish is a realistic goal.
Kick Sauber’s 2025 season has been a complete turnaround. With a new driver lineup and strong performances from both Hulkenberg and Bortoleto, the team is on the rise. With more points and podium finishes expected in the second half of the season, the future looks bright for the team based in Hinwil.
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