Kick Sauber C44

{{Racing car

| Car_name = Kick Sauber C44

| Gearbox name = Sauber carbon case with Ferrari cassette,

| Gears = 8-speed + 1 reverse

| Type = sequential seamless semi-automatic paddle shift

| Differential =

| Weight = {{Convert|798|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}}

| Tyres = Pirelli P Zero (dry)
Pirelli Cinturato (wet)

| Brakes = Brembo carbon brake discs and pads with rear brake by wire, Brembo monobloc calipers in nickel-plated aluminium alloy, Brembo tandem brake master cylinders

| Fuel = Shell V-Power{{refn|name=2024 fuels|group=note|Zero Petroleum branding appeared on the C44, but the car used Shell V-Power fuels.}}

|Lubricants = Shell Helix Ultra{{refn|name=2024 oils|group=note|Sunoco branding appeared on the C44, but the car used Shell Helix lubricants.}}

| Battery = Lithium-ion battery

| Electric motor = Ferrari kinetic and thermal energy recovery systems

| Technical ref =

| image = File:2024-08-24 Motorsport, Formel 1, Großer Preis der Niederlande 2024 STP 3314 by Stepro.jpg

| caption = Zhou Guanyu driving a C44 during the Dutch Grand Prix

| Image_size = 270px

| Category = Formula One

| Constructor = Kick Sauber

| Designer = James Key {{smaller|(Technical Director)}}{{Cite web |title=Key to lead Sauber into Audi era in technical director role |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/key-to-lead-sauber-into-audi-era-in-technical-director-role/10479690/ |access-date=27 April 2024 |website=autosport.com |archive-date=27 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240427214024/https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/key-to-lead-sauber-into-audi-era-in-technical-director-role/10479690/ |url-status=live }}
Eric Gandelin {{smaller|(Chief Designer)}}
Lucia Conconi {{smaller|(Head of Vehicle Performance)}}
Alessandro Cinelli {{smaller|(Head of Aerodynamics)}}
Franck Sanchez {{smaller|(Chief Aerodynamicist)}}

| Predecessor = Alfa Romeo C43

| Successor = Kick Sauber C45

| Team = Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber

| Chassis =

| Engine position =

| Front suspension = Carbon fibre double wishbone, pullrod-activated inboard torsion springs, rockers and Öhlins damper units

| Rear suspension = Carbon fibre double wishbone, pushrod-activated inboard torsion springs, rockers and Öhlins damper units

| Engine name = Ferrari 066/12

{{convert|1.6|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}} direct injection V6 turbocharged engine limited to 15,000 rpm in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout

| Capacity = {{convert|1.6|L|cuin|0|abbr=on}}

| Turbo/NA = turbocharged, 15,000 rpm limited

| Configuration = V6 (90°)

| Drivers = {{ubl|24. Zhou Guanyu|77. Valtteri Bottas}}

| Power =

| Debut = 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix

| First_win =

| Last_win =

| Last_event = 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

| Races = 24

| Wins = 0

| Podiums = 0

| Poles = 0

| Fastest_laps = 0

| clutch = Carbon Composite

}}

The Kick Sauber C44 is a Formula One car designed and constructed by Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber to compete in the 2024 Formula One World Championship. The car was driven by Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, both in their third and final year with the team. The C44 was the first chassis to re-inherit the Sauber name after the team's naming rights partnership with Alfa Romeo ended. While substantially different than the Alfa Romeo C43, the car experienced poor reliability and regressed during the season after upgrades repeatedly failed to address fundamental issues. The C44 relegated Sauber to a last place finish in the World Constructor's Championship for the first time since 2017, scoring four total points in the penultimate race of the season at the Qatar Grand Prix.

Background

= Development context =

{{Further information|2024 Formula One World Championship#Technical regulations}}

The C44 was the first Sauber design to be led by James Key, who reunited with then-CEO Andreas Seidl after his dismissal from McLaren. He inherited a design started by longtime Sauber designer Jan Monchaux, who was replaced by Key in August of 2023.{{Cite web |last=Hughes |first=Mark |author-link=Mark Hughes (journalist) |date=2024-02-06 |title=How Kick Sauber's C44 moves towards a Red Bull philosophy |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/tech-analysis-how-kick-saubers-c44-moves-further-than-ever-towards-a-red.7DsHOA1B2VezuuQnwVTrgt |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Formula1.com |publisher=Formula One Administration |language=en |archive-date=5 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705082141/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/tech-analysis-how-kick-saubers-c44-moves-further-than-ever-towards-a-red.7DsHOA1B2VezuuQnwVTrgt |url-status=live }} Key claimed that the C44 was a clean sheet design, sharing only very select designs with the preceding C43.{{Cite web |last=Mitchell-Malm |first=Scott |date=2024-02-05 |title=Sauber reveals 2024 F1 car with striking new Stake livery |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/sauber-stake-reveals-2024-f1-car-livery/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=The Race |language=en |archive-date=29 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229021636/https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/sauber-stake-reveals-2024-f1-car-livery/ |url-status=live }} In a first for the team, the car utilized an in-house transmission casing that housed its customer Ferrari gearbox. The C44's initial design inherited a new pull-rod front suspension as used by Key at McLaren, and featured a new downwards-sloping sidepod with very tight packaging.{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Gary |author-link=Gary Anderson (motorsport) |date=2024-02-05 |title=Gary Anderson on 2024 Sauber + where it must convince Audi |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/gary-anderson-verdict-sauber-stake-2024-f1-car/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=The Race |language=en |archive-date=25 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225061836/https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/gary-anderson-verdict-sauber-stake-2024-f1-car/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Somerfield |first=Matt |date=2024-02-06 |title=Can Sauber's new-look F1 challenger keep it off the back row? |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/stake-sauber-new-look-f1-challenger-tech/10572747/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Motorsport.com |publisher=Motorsport Network |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923143810/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/stake-sauber-new-look-f1-challenger-tech/10572747/ |url-status=live }} Following the FIA's investigation into the C42's upside-down crash at the 2022 British Grand Prix, Sauber abandoned its unique roll hoop and air intake designs for a more conventional A-shape design on the C44.{{Cite web |last=Filisetti |first=Paolo |date=2024-02-06 |title=Stake Sauber drawing on Red Bull RB19 lessons with new C44 |url=https://racingnews365.com/stake-sauber-drawing-on-red-bull-rb19-lessons-with-new-c44 |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=RacingNews365 |language=en |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923143812/https://racingnews365.com/stake-sauber-drawing-on-red-bull-rb19-lessons-with-new-c44 |url-status=live }}

= Branding and naming rights =

Following the conclusion of Sauber's naming rights partnership with Alfa Romeo, the team unveiled a new title partnership agreement with the Australian-Curaçaoan online casino Stake.{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Adam |date=2024-02-06 |title=Sauber F1 team reveals dramatic new look on C44 |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/sauber-f1-team-reveals-dramatic-new-look-c44/10572635/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Motorsport.com |publisher=Motorsport Network |archive-date=6 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206222446/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/sauber-f1-team-reveals-dramatic-new-look-c44/10572635/ |url-status=live}} The team sold the C44's chassis naming rights to the company's streaming subsidiary Kick, adopting the latter's branding and altering the team's name in jurisdictions where gambling sponsorships are outlawed.{{cite web |title=In countries where advertisement of gambling and sports betting is disallowed, @Stake will be replaced by @KickStreaming - both in the @alfaromeoorlen team name and logo. Where both Stake and Kick are disallowed, just the Alfa Romeo F1 Team logo will be featured. |url=https://twitter.com/decalspotters/status/1620826467214004233 |access-date=29 March 2023 |website=Twitter |language=en}}

Competition and development history

The C44 made its track debut at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya during a promotional filming exercise, later making its public debut at official preseason testing at Bahrain International Circuit.

= Opening rounds =

Following preseason testing, a new front wing was developed and deployed at the second round of the season at the Australian Grand Prix.{{Cite web |last1=Hughes |first1=Mark |author-link=Mark Hughes (journalist) |last2=Piola |first2=Giorgio |author-link2=Giorgio Piola |date=2024-03-26 |title=How Ferrari, Aston Martin and Kick Sauber initiated the 2024 development race in Australia |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/tech-weekly-how-ferrari-aston-martin-and-kick-sauber-initiated-the-2024.1Y3MJ0m0aYrdZrs7JUV3M1 |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Formula1.com |publisher=Formula One Administration |language=en |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923143810/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/tech-weekly-how-ferrari-aston-martin-and-kick-sauber-initiated-the-2024.1Y3MJ0m0aYrdZrs7JUV3M1 |url-status=live }} However, this development was negated by a substantial issue caused by lightweight wheel nuts introduced on the C44. This new design cross-threaded the team's wheel guns and caused dramatically slow pit times upwards of thirty seconds, eliminating the C44 from points contention in the opening rounds.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-25 |title=What's caused Sauber's terrible F1 pitstops in 2024 |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/sauber-pitstop-problems-fix-2024-wheelnuts/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=The Race |language=en}} A new ground effect floor introduced at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix did not have the desired effect, and the car slipped towards the back of the grid.{{Cite web |last1=Hughes |first1=Mark |author-link=Mark Hughes (journalist) |last2=Piola |first2=Giorgio |author-link2=Giorgio Piola |date=2024-06-04 |title=Why Kick Sauber's upgrades could show their full potential in Canada |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/tech-weekly-why-kick-saubers-upgrades-could-show-their-full-potential-in.612XxEefk8mV4OzKN880jx |url-access=registration |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Formula1.com |publisher=Formula One Administration |language=en |archive-date=26 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240826074605/https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/tech-weekly-why-kick-saubers-upgrades-could-show-their-full-potential-in.612XxEefk8mV4OzKN880jx |url-status=live }} In the first seven rounds of the season, the C44 achieved a best result of fourteenth and did not threaten for a points-paying position.Hotler, Felix; Bacquelaine, Loïc, Warwick, Derek; Al Hashmi, Mohammed (8 December 2024) [https://www.fia.com/sites/default/files/decision-document/2024%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Grand%20Prix%20-%20Championship%20Points.pdf "2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: Drivers' Championship Results"] (PDF) Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. Retrieved 18 February 2025.

= Mid-season rounds =

New rear and beam wings introduced at the Monaco and Canadian Grands Prix did not increase performance,{{Cite web |last1=Somerfield |first1=Matt |last2=Piola |first2=Giorgio |author-link2=Giorgio Piola |date=2024-06-08 |title=F1 Canadian GP: New updates from Mercedes, Red Bull explained |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/f1-canadian-gp-tech-images-pitlane-explained/10620658/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Motorsport.com |publisher=Motorsport Network}} prompting the team to revert Zhou Guanyu to an early-season specification to diagnose engineering correlation issues.{{Cite web |last=Kalinauckas |first=Alex |date=2024-06-20 |title=Zhou returns to early 2024 Sauber F1 chassis, hopes it cures recent struggles |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/zhou-returns-to-early-2024-sauber-f1-chassis-hopes-it-cures-recent-struggles/10625159/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Motorsport.com |publisher=Motorsport Network}} At the same time, both drivers expressed concerns with the C44's tyre management capabilities, commenting publicly that they struggled to bring their tyres up to the required operating envelope in both qualifying and race trims.{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Adam |date=2024-03-13 |title=Bottas: Struggling Sauber F1 team needed Jeddah "wake-up call" |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/bottas-struggling-sauber-f1-team-needed-jeddah-wake-up-call/10586877/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Motorsport.com |publisher=Motorsport Network |archive-date=23 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240923143917/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/bottas-struggling-sauber-f1-team-needed-jeddah-wake-up-call/10586877/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Gale |first=Ewan |date=2024-06-14 |title=Bottas: Sauber fix for F1 struggles "not rocket science" |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/bottas-sauber-fix-for-f1-struggles-not-rocket-science/10622604/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Motorsport.com |publisher=Motorsport Network |archive-date=15 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615173033/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/bottas-sauber-fix-for-f1-struggles-not-rocket-science/10622604/ |url-status=live }} Shortly after the summer break, team owner Audi AG publicly declared that the team's performance was 'unacceptably poor'.{{Cite web |last=Noble |first=Jonathan |date=2024-09-01 |title=Audi admits it "cannot accept" Sauber's current F1 performances |url=https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/audi-admits-it-cannot-accept-saubers-current-f1-performances/10650122/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Motorsport.com |publisher=Motorsport Network |archive-date=9 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240909092731/https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/audi-admits-it-cannot-accept-saubers-current-f1-performances/10650122/ |url-status=live }} Pundits commented that the team's struggles may have derived from Audi's fixation on the 2026 championship and executive infighting that led to Seidl's dismissal from the team during the summer break.{{Cite web |last=Boxall-Legge |first=Jake |date=2024-10-08 |title=Will Sauber's C44 go down as F1's best point-less car, or are there better contenders? |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/will-saubers-c44-go-down-as-f1s-best-point-less-car-or-are-there-better-contenders/10661297/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Autosport |publisher=Motorsport Network}}{{Cite web |title=Mattia Binotto takes over a leadership position for Audi in Formula 1 |url=https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/mattia-binotto-takes-over-a-leadership-position-for-audi-in-formula-1-16116 |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=Audi MediaCenter |language=en}} In the period from Monaco to the Dutch Grand Prix, the C44 achieved a best result of thirteenth on three occasions and still did not threaten for points.

= Closing rounds =

The C44 experienced an aerodynamic breakthrough at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where a fundamentally redesigned floor geometry changed floor fences, leading edges, and the rear diffuser.{{Cite web |date=2024-11-22 |title=Big changes and 2025 trials - F1 teams' Vegas upgrades explained |url=https://www.the-race.com/formula-1/f1-upgrades-las-vegas-grand-prix-ferrari-floor/ |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=The Race |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Codling |first=Stuart |date=2024-12-01 |title=Bottas: It’s “ironic” that Sauber F1 improvement has come so late |url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/bottas-its-ironic-that-sauber-f1-improvement-has-come-so-late/10678230/ |access-date=2024-12-04 |website=Autosport |publisher=Motorsport Network |language=en}} Both cars reached Q2 during qualifying, with Zhou finishing in thirteenth on merit ahead of competitors including Aston Martin, Williams, and RB. At the next round in Qatar, the C44 achieved its only points finish of the season in eight position with Zhou Guanyu.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/sports/formula1/zhou-voted-driver-day-saubers-first-points-2024-2024-12-01/|title=Zhou voted Driver of the Day for Sauber's first points of 2024|date=1 December 2024|access-date=9 February 2025|work=Reuters|last=Baldwin|first=Alan|editor-last=David|editor-first=Toby|location=Doha}} At the final round at Yas Marina, the C44 achieved its only Q3 appearance with Bottas in tenth position. At the end of the season, the C44 participated in Pirelli tyre testing at Yas Marina Circuit with new drivers Nico Hülkenburg and Gabriel Bortoleto.{{Cite web |title=The drivers taking part in the 2024 post-season test |url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/all-the-drivers-taking-part-in-the-2024-post-season-test-in-abu-dhabi.5dNLWeRfgGAp5Od4xg0bFa |access-date=2025-02-19 |website=Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website |language=en}}

Complete Formula One results

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class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%" ! rowspan="2" \|Year ! rowspan="2" \|Entrant ! rowspan="2" \|Engine ! rowspan="2" \|Tyres ! rowspan="2" \|Drivers ! colspan="24" \|Grands Prix ! rowspan="2" \|Points ! rowspan="2" \|WCC
BHR !SAU !AUS !JPN !CHN !MIA !EMI !MON !CAN !ESP !AUT !GBR !HUN !BEL !NED !ITA !AZE !SIN !USA !MXC !SAP !LVG !QAT !ABU
rowspan="2" \|{{F1\|2024}} \| rowspan="2" \|Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber \| rowspan="2" \|{{nowrap\|Ferrari}} {{nowrap\|066/12}} {{nowrap\|1.6 V6 t}} \| rowspan="2" \|{{Pirelli}} \| align="left" \|{{nowrap\|{{Flagicon\|FIN}} Valtteri Bottas}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|BHR}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|SAU}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|AUS}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|JPN}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|CHN}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|MIA}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|EMI}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|MON}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|CAN}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|ESP}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|AUT}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|GBR}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|HUN}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|BEL}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|NED}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|ITA}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|AZE}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|SIN}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|USA}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|MXC}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|SAP}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|LVG}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|QAT}} \|{{F1R2024\|BOT\|ABU}} !rowspan="2"\|4 !rowspan="2"\|10th
align=left\|{{flagicon\|CHN}} Zhou Guanyu \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|BHR}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|SAU}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|AUS}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|JPN}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|CHN}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|MIA}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|EMI}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|MON}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|CAN}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|ESP}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|AUT}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|GBR}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|HUN}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|BEL}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|NED}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|ITA}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|AZE}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|SIN}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|USA}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|MXC}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|SAP}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|LVG}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|QAT}} \|{{F1R2024\|ZHO\|ABU}}
colspan="31"\| Source:

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"

! rowspan="2" |Year

! rowspan="2" |Entrant

! rowspan="2" |Engine

! rowspan="2" |Tyres

! rowspan="2" |Drivers

! colspan="24" |Grands Prix

! rowspan="2" |Points

! rowspan="2" |WCC

BHR

!SAU

!AUS