F1 star warned 'no mistakes' by team planning 'surprise' name change for 2024
Sauber star Zhou Guanyu has been warned that he has no room for errors as the team plot a “surprise” rebrand for 2024.
Alfa Romeo ’s deal comes to an end before the start of the new campaign. The Italian manufacturer has been the title sponsor of the Swiss-based team for the last five years.
The identity of Sauber’s new sponsor has not yet been revealed but team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi dropped a hint that it could be something new. Speaking earlier this month, he said: "In Formula 1, the team name is also depending from commercial partnership.
"On the 10th of December, as soon as the FIA will publish the entry list, we will of course announce a new team name. I think it will be a surprise.
"We cannot wait to start the partnership with our new partners, we will have I think a really fresh approach in terms of communication, marketing, and we will do a launch of the car here in the UK."
Sebastian Vettel warns of looming F1 ban and is "very worried about the future"
Amid the rebrand, there is also a question over Sauber’s current clutch of drivers. Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu represented the team during the 2023 season and it wasn’t a positive campaign.
Alfa Romeo finished in ninth with just 16 points - Guanyu in particular struggled as he amassed only six points. Head of trackside engineering, Xevi Pujolar, has now opened up on what caused his troubles but suggested that there can be no repeat next term.
The Sauber F1 team will have completely different branding next season (Getty Images)Will Zhou Guanyu improve next season? Share your predictions in the comments below
“In some conditions, it’s been a struggle a bit more and we’re trying to understand what we can give him with the car and how we can work with the tyres, just to make sure he’s more consistent," Pujolar said.
“In some conditions, he is a bit more sensitive to what he is feeling. The differences are not big, but in terms of positions they are big, so we need to work on that for next year.”
“There is no room for any small drop or mistake [next season]," Pujolar added. It was the second season in row that Guanyu had finished 18th with just six points.
His best finish during last season was ninth - a place he claimed on three occasions in Australia, Spain and Qatar. However, confidence in him does not appear to be wavering after he penned a new contract with the team until the end of 2024.
Speaking at the time, he said: “Signing again with the team is always a great feeling, especially when we know how things are shaping up. I am proud to be part of Alfa Romeo and grateful for their trust.
“I have been working extremely hard since day one and there is an incredible level of motivation to keep doing so every day forward. My relationship with Valtteri is really good, and we are working closely together and with the team to push everyone forward.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
