Audi has not yet made a decision on who will partner Nico Hulkenberg at Sauber for the 2025 F1 season.
With Mattia Binotto now leading the team, he faces a difficult choice for the upcoming year.
Sauber may stick with Valtteri Bottas, but Audi seems unsure about his ability to improve the team.
According to German outlet AMuS, the previous management, headed by Andreas Seidl, discussed a younger driver and had preliminary talks with Felipe Drugovich.
One name that continues to be mentioned is Mick Schumacher.
Currently part of the Alpine family, he competes for them in the World Endurance Championship.
He is viewed as a ‘low risk’ option and signing him would give Sauber two German drivers.
Apart from Schumacher, Kevin Magnussen is also under consideration, but his performance compared to Hulkenberg’s suggests he would be a downgrade from Bottas.
Another factor for Binotto and Audi to take into account is the situation at Red Bull.
Sauber reportedly spoke with Liam Lawson earlier in the year, but Lawson is expected to drive for VCARB at some point next year.
Depending on how things unfold at Red Bull, either Daniel Ricciardo or Sergio Perez might become available.
Perez’s future at Red Bull is uncertain despite the team’s support after a challenging Belgian Grand Prix.
Similarly, Ricciardo has yet to persuade Red Bull that he is ready to return to the main team.
AMuS suggests that Audi’s best option might be to wait and see if Perez, known as the ‘king of the midfield’, or Ricciardo become options.
A wildcard choice is two-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou.
The 27-year-old Spaniard has secured the last two IndyCar titles and is on track to win a third.
