Sauber Cleared: No Swiss Law Broken
In a bold move on February 5, 2024, Sauber showcased their new look for the 2024 Formula 1 season in London. However, their title sponsor, Stake, raised eyebrows with the Swiss Federal Gaming Commission (ESBK). But now, all concerns have been put to rest.
Sauber underwent a transformation at the beginning of 2024. After racing predominantly in red with partner Alfa Romeo from 2019 to 2023, the Swiss team unveiled a completely different aesthetic for 2024 – featuring a bold combination of lime green and black. The now-renamed „Stake F1 Team“ unveiled their new C44 car driven by Valtteri Bottas and Guanyu Zhou in London. While not everyone was on board with Sauber’s fresh identity, the team received a notice from the ESBK. The issue at hand stemmed from Stake, an Australian online casino provider based in Curaçao, being the team’s sponsor. As foreign online gambling providers are prohibited in Switzerland, the ESBK, which oversees gaming regulations in the country, had to step in.
Sauber Team Principal Alessandro Alunni Bravi maintained his composure throughout the ordeal, stating, „We comply with all laws, including those in Switzerland. Depending on the location, we have used different names in the past year. We have taken all necessary measures to ensure compliance with all relevant regulations.“ Alunni Bravi’s legal background ensured that Sauber was always on solid legal ground.
Fortunately, Sauber has been cleared of any wrongdoing by the ESBK. The commission concluded that the sponsorship deal with Stake and the team’s new appearance were primarily viewed as advertising. Since Sauber predominantly operates internationally and does not feature Stake branding in Switzerland, and Stake’s services are inaccessible in the country, the ESBK has closed the case.
**Keywords: Sauber, Stake, ESBK, Switzerland, Formula 1**
In the latest training sessions in Canada, the results were as follows:
**2nd Training, Canada:**
1. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:15.810 min
2. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:16.273
3. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:16.464
4. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:16.556
5. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bulls, 1:16.731
**1st Training, Canada:**
1. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:24.435 min
2. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:24.763
3. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:25.306
4. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:25.970
5. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:26.502
This latest development in the world of Formula 1 showcases Sauber’s resilience and commitment to compliance, ensuring they stay on track for success in the 2024 season.