Sauber’s C44 Unveiled in Stunning Fashion, Zhou Guanyu Has High Hopes for 2024 Season

The Sauber team showcased its new look for the 2024 F1 season at London’s City Hall this Monday, with Zhou Guanyu expressing high expectations for his third year, and excitement for his home race in China.

After ending its partnership with Alfa Romeo, Sauber will compete as the “Stake F1 Kick Sauber team” for 2023 and 2024, before embarking on a strategic collaboration with Audi from 2026. The newly branded C44 racecar made its debut in a striking green and black livery.

Chinese driver Zhou enters his “third year” in F1, partnering Valtteri Bottas once again. Theo Pourchaire, the reigning F2 champion, will participate in the Japanese Super Formula while serving as the Swiss outfit’s reserve and test driver.

The C43, which Sauber fielded in 2023, saw a decline in competitiveness, finishing ninth in the constructors’ standings. Zhou secured six points, with three ninth-place finishes, while Bottas managed only 10 points over the 22 races. Both drivers had expressed the desire for a significant improvement in the 2024 car, as the team acknowledged developmental missteps last season.

Last September, the Swiss squad appointed James Key as its new Technical Director. Although the C44’s design was well underway when Key joined, the Briton, who previously worked at Toro Rosso and McLaren, brought his expertise to the project. He described the new car as “visibly different, more aggressive, and more refined. It’s a more advanced, ambitious, and potentially greater car.” The team aims to challenge the midfield in the upcoming season.

Sauber 2023 vs. 2024

Photo by: Sauber

“We’ve put in a lot of effort since last season, especially in the second half and after the summer break, to ensure that as a team we understood where we needed to improve and what plans needed to be executed in the factory over the winter,” Zhou commented. “Now it’s time to bring all that work together and take the car to the track. Expectations are very high, but until we start competing against our rivals, we won’t know exactly where we stand. Nevertheless, a lot of hard work has gone into this car, and I’m very excited to drive it soon.”

The Chinese Grand Prix returns to the F1 calendar after a five-year absence, with Zhou set to make his home race debut. As the fifth round of the season and the first sprint race weekend, tickets for the event have been in high demand, with Zhou’s dedicated grandstand selling out.

“It’s fantastic news, especially as F1 comes back to China after five years,” he said. “Seeing the growth of the fan base in recent years, I’m proud to have contributed a little to that. It’s great to witness more young generations of drivers starting in karting overseas, working hard to pursue motorsports and dream of reaching F1. I’m very excited, not just for the sold-out grandstand, but also for the sprint race weekend, which will provide more entertainment for the fans and more racing action. It’s sure to create unforgettable memories.”

Zhou and Bottas will get their first taste of the C44 at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya on Friday, coinciding with Chinese New Year, during the team’s official filming day. They then look forward to the pre-season testing in Bahrain from February 21-23, preparing for the season opener.

Sauber C44

Photo by: Sauber F1 Team