Alfa Romeo’s Chinese driver Zhou Guanyu leaves the pit lane during the qualifying session for the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in the Emirati city on Nov. 25, 2023. (AFP/Ali Haider/Pool)
T
he departure of title sponsor Alfa Romeo means the Sauber Formula One team will be rebranded 'Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber' in 2024, according to the official lists released by the FIA on Friday.
A rebrand was in order following the announcement last month that Alfa Romeo, early pioneers of F1 who came back into the sport in 2018, were once again pulling back.
The exact name for 2024 has yet to be decided by the Swiss team will carry the name of two of its sponsors already visible on the single-seater for the next two seasons.
Stake is an Australian online casino and sports betting site while Kick is a video streaming service owned by the founders of Stake and boasting 22 million registered users since its launch last year.
“Sauber has always been about innovation, breaking the mould and defying convention,” said Sauber Motorsport Team Representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi.
“The partnership with Kick.com is the latest and boldest display of the philosophy that drives us."
Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas will remain the team's two drivers next year and their cars will continue to be powered by Ferrari until the arrival of Audi in 2026.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabian energy giant Aramco has signed a new five-year agreement to become exclusive title sponsor of the Aston Martin F1 team from next season, both parties announced on Thursday.
The team previously had US-based IT company Cognizant as joint title sponsor with Aramco but will be known officially as Aston Martin Aramco from January. Cognizant will remain as a strategic partner.
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) recently increased its stake in British luxury carmaker Aston Martin to 20.5 percent.
Aramco is also a global partner of Formula One and title sponsor of a number of races.
Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll owns the F1 team and is also chair and top shareholder in the separate car company.
"We already enjoy an important strategic relationship (with Aramco) and their support as our title partner for the next five years is a clear demonstration of our shared ambition," said Stroll in a statement.
"Since 2022, they have played a key role in Aston Martin’s Formula One journey and their contribution will only become more significant in the years ahead."
Aston Martin finished last season fifth overall with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll as their drivers. The team will switch from Mercedes to Honda engines from 2026.
