Sauber Motorsport has listed its F1 academy drivers for 2024 season, with two new faces joining the three familiar names.
Following a successful 2023 season, Sauber Academy will continue nurturing the future of motorsport, as the driver development programme unveils its 2024 line-up. Théo Pourchaire, Léna Bühler, and Taym Saleh will keep flying the team’s colours this season, alongside the newly inducted Carrie Schreiner and Zane Maloney.
The longest-standing member of the Sauber Academy, having first been inducted upon its founding in 2020, Théo Pourchaire triumphed in the 2023 FIA Formula 2 Championship, conquering the coveted crown after a three-season crescendo in the series. Now, a new challenge awaits the talented Frenchman, as he heads to Japan to race in the 2024 Super Formula Championship. Théo will also maintain his Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber Reserve Driver role, which in 2023 saw him pairing extensive simulator work with two Free Practice outings in Mexico and in Abu Dhabi.
Léna Bühler, the first female driver to be inducted in Sauber’s driver development programme, enjoyed a remarkable stint in the first-ever F1 Academy season. The Swiss racer finished as runner-up to the title, stepping on the podium thirteen times in total – including two race wins – and setting the record for most podiums in a season. Having proved herself in the all-female series, 2024 will see Léna make a further step forward in the motorsport ladder, as she prepares to make her debut in the Formula Regional European Championship; a new challenge for the talented Swiss – one she will surely be able to take in her stride.
Flying the flag of the Sauber Karting Team, Taym Saleh enjoyed a busy and positive 2023 season. The young German consistently placed himself in the top 20, collecting podiums and important points, establishing himself in the OK-Junior category. Taym subsequently made the step to the OK category, debuting at the South Garda Karting track in Lonato in late November – feeling at ease straight away in the new environment, where he will continue proving himself in 2024.
A new addition to Sauber Academy’s roster of young, talented drivers, Carrie Schreiner collected outstanding results in karting and GT racing, before making the step to F1 Academy in 2023 – where she found a teammate in fellow Sauber Academy member, Léna Bühler. With the learnings from her rookie season, which included a race win, Carrie is ready to tackle her second year in the series, driving in Kick Sauber F1 Team operated by Campos colours.
Zane Maloney, Sauber Academy’s latest inductee, raced in karting championships both in native Barbados and in the United States ahead of a move across the Atlantic to make the switch to open-wheel racing. The talented Barbadian took no time in showing his potential, quickly climbing through the ranks in British F4, Formula Regional, and FIA Formula 3. He enjoyed a remarkable rookie season in the 2023 FIA Formula 2 Championship, collecting four podium appearances which placed him tenth in the standings – and third among the rookies. Zane will continue racing in the series in 2024, now supported by Sauber Academy, as he aims to succeed fellow Academy driver Pourchaire for the Formula 2 crown, while sharing with him Reserve Driver duties for Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber.
As well as supporting their respective campaigns, over the course of 2024 the Sauber Academy will also provide its drivers with training camps in the off-season, media training sessions and access to the most professional resources available to Sauber Motorsport – boasting over three decades of experience in Formula One.
Beat Zehnder, Sauber Academy Director: “Ever since its founding, the main target of Sauber Academy has been raising and nurturing the champions of tomorrow. I salute our 2024 line-up, which further expanded following a successful season last year, and is once again full of promise. Théo’s Formula 2 triumph has been the source of great pride for us; his growth and development ever since he joined us have been remarkable, and we are eager to see what he can achieve this year as he heads overseas. Léna and Taym too enjoyed a successful 2023, and it’s great to be continuing working with them this season. We are also delighted to welcome Carrie and Zane to the Academy – two outstanding additions to our talented roster. To each of them, I want to wish all the best on their 2024 campaigns: we are looking forward to getting started and to achieving great things together.”
Théo Pourchaire, driver: “It’s safe to say the Sauber Academy is my racing family, and I am proud to be its longest-standing member. Clinching the Formula 2 title crowned an incredible season last year, and I am ready and motivated for the new challenges that lie ahead of me. 2024 will be busy, balancing my Super Formula campaign with my Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber Reserve Driver duties, but I cannot wait to get started and continue flying the Academy’s flag.”
Léna Bühler, driver: “Being part of the Sauber Academy is an amazing opportunity, and I am thankful for all their support throughout 2023. I am delighted to be continuing working together this season as I move onto a new challenge in Formula Regional – one I am very much looking forward to embarking, backed by Sauber Academy’s guidance.”
Taym Saleh, driver: “I am happy and proud to be continuing racing in the Sauber Academy colours this season. My aim is to continue developing as a driver, and I am eager to continue working hard to achieve my goals this year – grateful to being able to count on the support of Sauber Academy and its vast motorsport experience.”
Carrie Schreiner, driver: “I am proud to have joined the Sauber Academy and to represent it in F1 Academy this year. My goal for this season is only one: to win, and to do so while flying the flag for both the team and the Academy. I am looking forward to getting started, and to achieve many great things together in 2024.”
Zane Maloney, driver: “The Sauber name resonates with Formula One, as it has been part of the sport for over thirty years, paving the way for so many names who went on to achieve great success. I am honoured to be part of the Sauber Academy, and looking forward to working together this season, as I lay the groundwork for my Formula 2 title campaign while also taking on the role of additional Reserve Driver for Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber.”
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[Note: The story is as per press release]