Stake F1 Team Unveils Bold New Identity with the C44: A Fresh Era in Formula 1

The team’s drivers unveiled a vibrant and daring neon green-on-black design for their car, featuring the prominent Stake brand. This marks a significant departure from their previous, more conservative designs.

After a period as Alfa Romeo, the Swiss team, which has been involved in Formula 1 for over four decades, has transformed into the Stake F1 Team. Their partnership with Audi is set to begin in 2026.

Sauber made their debut in Formula 1 at the 1993 South African Grand Prix. Since then, they have participated in 353 Grand Prix weekends as an independent team. From 2006 to 2010, they competed as BMW-Sauber, adding another 89 Grand Prix starts to their record.

As the Alfa Romeo era fades away, the Stake F1 Team, now powered by Ferrari, is generating excitement as the sport’s newest entrant. Since announcing their name change, they have made significant investments to demonstrate their commitment, both on and off the track.

The launch event for the C44, the team’s new car, was streamed on KICK, a video live-streaming service operated by Kick Streaming Pty Ltd. This service is supported by Stake.com co-founders Bijan Tehrani, Ed Craven, and streaming personality Trainwreckstv.

During the unveiling of the striking car livery, the team proudly declared, “This is not your typical Formula 1 car. It’s aggressive, thrilling, and unlike anything you’ve seen before. The Stake F1 Team C44 is here, and it’s already making waves in the world of motorsport.”

Alessandro Alunni Bravi, a representative of the team, expressed his excitement about the launch, stating, “The C44, our new car, is a testament to the hard work of James Key, our technical team, and everyone in Hinwil who contributed to its creation. Witnessing the launch of a new car is always a special moment, especially when it marks the beginning of a new era for the Stake F1 Team. We have a fresh identity and exciting plans both on and off the track. Today, however, we focus on the C44 and its potential.”

“We have confidence in our car and our team,” Bravi continued. “While we won’t set specific targets in terms of numbers, our goals are clear: to enhance the performance of our car and our overall package. By package, I mean every aspect, from the race team to on-track operations, pit stops, and strategy. It’s about more than just the car’s performance.”

“We are dedicated to making progress in all areas. That is our objective. As the season progresses, we will determine our position. However, our primary target is to improve this year and deliver better results than we did in 2023,” Bravi concluded.

The Sauber C44, unveiled by the team, is the result of tireless work by the staff in Hinwil. Over the course of several months, they dedicated themselves to designing, developing, producing, and assembling the new car with a growing sense of anticipation. Led by Technical Director James Key, the technical team aimed to make a significant leap forward in the team’s position and regain their fighting spirit.

The C44 represents a departure from its predecessor, the C43, with numerous changes introduced to enhance performance and explore new areas of development. One of the most noticeable and impactful changes is the shift from a push-rod to a pull-rod front suspension. This transition showcases the team’s dedication to unlocking the aerodynamic advantages of the pull-rod system, which required substantial resources.

Additionally, the C44 boasts an aggressively redesigned aerodynamic package, particularly evident in the sidepods and engine cover. These modifications push existing concepts to new limits and demonstrate the team’s ability to optimize car packaging in limited spaces. The car’s internals also underwent a redesign to accommodate these changes.

Another notable improvement is the completely new floor, a crucial component for generating downforce. The design team is already working on important updates that will be introduced in the early stages of the championship, as the team aims to establish themselves as a strong contender in the development race.

Borras, the 34-year-old driver, expressed his thoughts on the new car, emphasizing the importance of team performance and maximizing the potential of the package. He acknowledged that last year’s targets were not met and stressed the need to rectify that by stepping up their game. However, he conveyed his confidence in the team’s enthusiasm and their ability to achieve their goals.

Zhou, the 24-year-old Chinese driver, commented on the new car, highlighting its exciting new approach and distinctive color. He mentioned the team’s efforts to identify areas for improvement and develop a plan during the previous season, particularly after the summer break. Now, it is time to bring everything together and get the car on track. Zhou acknowledged the high expectations but emphasized that their true standing will only be revealed when they compete against their rivals. Nevertheless, he expressed his excitement to drive the new car soon.

As the Stake F1 Team car is unveiled, it is not only visually appealing but will become even more impressive as it climbs up the field throughout the 2024 F1 season.