Nico Hülkenberg, architect of Kick Sauber’s rebound

Nico Hulkenberg scored five times Kick Sauber's points total in ten races last season. The German has 100% of the points for the team based in Hinwil, ninth in the constructors' standings ahead of AlpineRecent performances that erase the disappointment of 2024, where we had to wait until the penultimate meeting of the season to see Zhou bring home the first of the team's four points this season.

After his fifth place in Barcelona, ​​the German wanted to be modest: "I think they were just on more worn sets of tires. It really shows the difference between new and broken-in tires." However, he highlighted the significant contribution of the improvements made by Sauber to the Spanish Grand Prix: "It was certainly very enjoyable, I don't think we're at the point where we're fighting with the best. But we've made a big step forward to fight in the middle of the pack."

But it is clear that the native of Emmerich am Rhein has done it again Canada. An eighth place for two consecutive entries in the points, which had not happened since the end of 2022 for the team (Valtteri Bottas 10^th in Mexico then 9^th in Brazil). Again, these performances are, according to him, the result of the improvements made in Barcelona: "We haven't been successful recently, so what the evolution brings to the team's performance and morale is a small victory."

A single-seater that is not necessarily faster, but more understandable and pleasant to drive

The C45 was revisited with these improvements, which aimed in particular to "produce a more uniform downforce", explained Iñaki Rueda, the team's sporting director. A new package that allows for better control of the differences that appear between the simulator and the track: "The hardest thing to predict is the transience of air flows: when a car is in front or there is a gust, he popularizes. We We hope that this new package gives more confidence to the drivers, which remains difficult to quantify."

On the menu: a new junction between the front wing flaps and its ends, redirecting the flow towards the interior of the car to increase the aerodynamic downforce produced by the floor. And a new engine hood designed to better guide the air to the new rear diffuser.

While these improvements allow Sauber to catch up with its competitors, the fact remains that a technical revolution is coming next season and that a choice of transition towards the development of the car 2026 will have to be done within the year. A happy medium must be found in a period where every improvement could bring in big points in a field that is tighter than ever.

ALSO READ > Audi lowers its F1 ambitions for 2026