Sauber Motorsport Rebrands as Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber for 2024 F1 Season: A Closer Look at the Name Change
Sauber Motorsport has undergone a significant transformation for the 2024 F1 season, now operating under the new team name Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber. This re-branding comes in the wake of the departure of title sponsor Alfa Romeo, marking a new chapter for the Swiss team.
The Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber name is a combination of different elements that reflect the team’s new identity. “Stake” is derived from Stake.com, an online casino and gambling platform founded by Australian entrepreneurs Bijan Tehrani and Edward Craven. The company holds an online casino license and now possesses full naming rights for the team after being a co-title partner in 2023.
“Kick” represents a video live-streaming platform that rivals Twitch, with ties to Stake through shared ownership. The platform has faced criticism for its lax moderation and embrace of online gambling, as reported by The New York Times.
The inclusion of “Sauber” in the team name pays homage to Sauber Motorsport AG, a Swiss motorsport engineering company that has been a part of F1 since 1993. Over the years, the team has competed under various names, including Red Bull Sauber, BMW Sauber, and Alfa Romeo.
Looking ahead, Sauber is set to re-brand as Audi in 2026, becoming the German manufacturer’s factory team. Alessandro Alunni Bravi serves as the team representative, working closely with Sauber CEO Andreas Seidl, a former team principal at McLaren.
The Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber is poised for an exciting season ahead with drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu at the helm. Stay tuned for more updates on this dynamic team as they navigate the challenges of the 2024 F1 season.