Latest Episode | Cut To The Race Podcast
Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber have announced Stefano Sordo as their new Performance Director.
Kick Sauber yet again failed to score points at the 2024 Canadian Grand Prix (Image Credit: @stakef1team_ks on X)The Italian engineer has joined in a newly created role as Performance Director, and will report directly to Technical Director James Key. His main duty will be to understand the finer details of performance necessary to move Kick Sauber further up the running order.
Sordo brings a wealth of experience to the Hinwil-based outfit, having worked in the highest echelons of motorsport for over two decades. He was a race engineer at Red Bull and Toro Rosso before working as the Aero Performance Head for almost ten years with the current defending Champions. The Italian subsequently moved onto McLaren in similar roles for six years and then switched over to IndyCar as Technical Director of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
With Kick Sauber currently languishing last in the Constructors’ Championship as the only team yet to score a point, Sordo has his work cut out as the new Performance Director. The team has struggled not only with fundamental pace, but also with poor reliability and error-strewn pitstops during races. Drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu finished the most recent Canadian Grand Prix in 13th and 15th respectively.
Sordo will also be heavily involved with Kick Sauber’s development of their 2026 car, which will adhere to the significant regulation changes scheduled for that year. German auto manufacturer Audi will take over from Sauber from the 2026 season onwards, and since that was announced earlier this year there have been numerous other appointments and personnel changes. Current Haas driver Nico Hulkenberg will join the Swiss outfit in 2025.
Team at a crucial juncture
In a statement released by Sauber, Sordo expressed excitement at starting his new role and hopes to propel the team into points-scoring contention. He said: I am delighted to join Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber and take on a role that will have a direct impact on unlocking the performance we already have within our company, and help it reach new heights.
“The team is at a crucial juncture in its history, with the start of the Audi adventure just around the corner, and I am looking forward to tackling the challenge that lies ahead.
“I am excited about what the future holds: the targets the team has set for itself are ambitious, but I see a lot of confidence from everyone within this organisation,” concluded the Italian engineer.
Andreas Seidl, CEO of the Sauber Group, believes Sordo will provide the perspective and expertise needed for both an immediate upturn in form and to prepare for Audi’s takeover in 2026.
He added: “The appointment of Stefano is an important step in the development of the structure of our technical department. Stefano knows what a winning squad needs, brings a wealth of experience to the team and, with the different array of roles he played in the past, he is perfectly placed to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of our technical operations, and address what is required.
“We have a strong technical team in Hinwil, and Stefano’s appointment will help us to harness these skills and turn them into performance as we continue in this crucial time for our outfit, with the Audi F1 works team being readied for its debut.”
Sordo is expected to be present at the Spanish Grand Prix, commencing at 14:00 BST (15:00 local time) on Sunday 23 June.
Feature Image Credit: Sauber Group