The Sauber team presented this Tuesday (18) a special livery for the Las Vegas GP, scheduled for this weekend. The car was named “Final Lap” and displays checkered flags all over the body, symbolizing the end of the Swiss team’s current identity. The definitive change to Audi takes place in 2026.
Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg will drive the C45 model with the new look only in the North American stage. The team opted for Las Vegas due to the spectacular nature of the night race. Esta is Sauber’s third custom livery in 2025, following changes to Miami and Espanha.
Details of the new look
The checkered pattern appears in black and white on the sides, front wing and engine cover. The visual identity maintains the season’s characteristic neon green, but gains greater contrast with the new elements.
The choice reinforces the transition message. Sauber ends 32 years of participation under its own name in Fórmula 1 before the full entry of Audi as a builder.
Team evolution in 2025
The current season records a significant improvement in performance. The duo Bortoleto and Hulkenberg have accumulated 62 points so far.
The result puts the team ahead of direct rivals in the middle of the grid. No previous year, Sauber finished in last position with just four points scored.
- Hulkenberg’s podium at the Inglaterra GP represented the 28th in the team’s history
- Bortoleto scores points in 15 of the 21 races contested
- Team rose to eighth place in the constructors’ championship
History of Sauber on Fórmula 1
The team debuted in the category in 1993 and has competed in 507 GPs to date. The only victory occurred in the 2008 Canadá GP, with Robert Kubica driving the BMW Sauber model.
Between 2007 and 2008, the team enjoyed its best moment and finished as runner-up in constructors. Nomes as Kimi Räikkönen, Felipe Massa and Charles Leclerc passed through the Swiss garage in different phases.
Preparing for the Audi era
Audi acquired 100% of the structure in 2024 and is developing its own engine for 2026. The R26 project has already had its concept publicly revealed.
The Hinwil factory receives heavy investments in infrastructure. The declared goal is to fight for titles by 2030.
Race in Las Vegas
The Las Vegas GP takes place on the circuit set up on the city’s streets between Thursday (21) and Saturday (23). The race is scheduled to start at 10pm (Brasília time) on Saturday.
The 6.2 km track has 17 curves and two long straights. The night temperature must be below 15°C during the race.
Sauber is looking to add more points before the end of the season. The last two stages take place on Catar and Abu Dhabi in the coming weeks.