The Sauber Academy reveals its crew for 2023

Frenchman Théo Pourchaire, the team's reserve driver for 2023, will be accompanied by Léna Bühler, Marcus Amand and Taym Saleh.

Published on 17/02/2023 à 12:56

Elie-Sara Couttet

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The Sauber Academy reveals its crew for 2023

Théo Pourchaire will be accompanied by Léna Bühler, Marcus Amand and Taym Saleh in the Sauber Academy. ©Antonin Vincent / DPPI

Le program for young drivers of the team Switzerland opened its doors to four pilots, whose names were revealed today. French Theo Pourchaire will begin a fourth year alongside the structure's academy, also serving as a garage reservist in Formula 1 in the event of absence of the holders, Guanyu-Zhou et Valtteri Bottas. " Being part of the Sauber academy is a huge opportunity for me, I am very grateful for it. I wouldn't be here today, and I wouldn't have had the same opportunities without their support, declares the vice-champion driver of Formula 2 last year. I feel part of a big team and a big family, which motivates me to achieve the best possible results. »

And to add: " This year is quite intense, I divide my time between Formula 2 and my obligations as a reserve driver, but I am ready and motivated for this challenge. » Indeed, Pourchaire will have the difficult task of fighting for a title in the antechamber of the premier category with his car ART Grand Prix.

But he will be joined by three other drivers selected by the structure in its 2023 program. Among them, Léna Bühler, the first driver to have signed in the new 100% female F1 Academy championship, which will have its inaugural season. She also started her year on the UAE F4 grid. “ Joining the Sauber Academy is an incredible opportunity, declares the one who will evolve in the discipline with ART Grand Prix. I'm really looking forward to starting this collaboration with the team and taking a step forward in my motorsport career by joining the F1 Academy championship. With the Sauber Academy, I know I will have the support and learning of over three decades of Formula 1 experience »

Another member of the crew, the Franco-Finnish Marcus Amand who officiated in the F4 categories Germany and Italy last season. Amand is also the owner of the French team which has won several titles in promotional formulas, taking part in the FRECA championship in 2023. I am really very happy to be a member of the Sauber Academy and to have their support in this new stage in European Regional Formula by Alpine. My goal for this year is to continue to improve my skills and knowledge, develop myself as a driver, and I am confident that I will achieve this with the support and great expertise of the academy. I'm really looking forward to starting this journey towards Formula 1. »

A path to the top of the single-seater pyramid which will also be done with Taym Saleh, the young German who races under the Sauber flag in karting. “ I am very proud to have been selected to join the Sauber Academy, and very grateful for their support, enthuses the driver who will compete in the CIK-OK championship. Several drivers have developed through their ranks and made their debut within Sauber Motorsport, it is a personal goal to join them in the future. It is a great honor for me to have seen my potential and to invest in my future. »

These four young talents, each in different paddocks and at different stages of their rise to Formula 1, represent the “ center of Sauber Motorsport philosophy ", as the sports director of the franchise Beat Zehnder declares: " The 2023 Sauber Academy crew is very promising, and I look forward to working with each of them. Théo's trajectory and his development since his arrival here is a great source of pride for us, culminating in his promotion as a reserve in our Formula 1 team., he says. We are also very happy to welcome Léna, Marcus and Taym to the academy. We will be with them in the next stages of their careers, giving them the tools, education and resources necessary for success in motorsport. We really can't wait to get started and unlock their potential. »

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