Sauber has named four drivers in their F1 academy for the 2023 season who will be competing in four different categories.
Having announced two drivers for 2022, Sauber will have four in the academy for the 2023 F1 season in an expanded line-up. Among the two, only Theo Pourchaire is retained for this year who is also to be the reserve driver of Alfa Romeo.
The Frenchman is already known to compete in F2 with ART Grand Prix and completed a three-day test in Bahrain using Sauber colours. Joining Pourchaire for 2023 will be newcomers Lena Buhler, Marcus Amand and Taym Saleh.
Swiss racer Buhler will compete in the F1 Academy later in 2023 with ART, while currently she is competing in the UAE F4 series with R2Race. French-Finnish Amand will race in Formula Regional European Championship, also with ART.
As for Saleh, the German racer will continue in karting and compete in the CIK-OK Championship. Having been part of the Sauber family last year, Roberto Faria has not been retained by them like Pourchaire. “Discovering and nurturing young talent has always been at the center of Sauber Motorsport’s philosophy, with the ultimate aim of raising the champions of tomorrow,” said Beat Zehnder. “Sauber Academy’s 2023 roster is very promising, and I am looking forward to working with each of the drivers.
“Théo’s growth and development ever since he joined have been a source of great pride for us, including his promotion to being one of our Formula One team’s official reserve drivers. We are also delighted to welcome Léna, Marcus, and Taym to the Academy. We will be by their side in the next steps of their careers, providing them with the tools, the education and the resources needed to succeed in the world of motorsport: we cannot wait to get started and unlock their potential further together.”
On the driver side, Pourchaire started: “Being part of the Sauber Academy is a massive opportunity for me, and I am thankful for that. I wouldn’t be where I am right now, and I wouldn’t have had the chances I was given without their support. I feel part of a great family and a great team, which gives me a further push to obtain the best possible results. This year will be a busy one, splitting my time between Formula 2 and my reserve driver duties, but I am ready and motivated for the challenge.”
At the same time, Buhler stated: “Joining the Sauber Academy is an amazing chance for which I am extremely grateful. I am very much looking forward to working together with the team as I make a further step in my motorsport career, joining the F1 Academy series. With Sauber Academy, I know I will have the guidance and support, learning from their over three decades of experience in Formula One.”
Meanwhile, Amand noted: “I am absolutely pleased to be inducted in the Sauber Academy and to have their support as I move onto a new experience in the Formula Regional European Championship. My aim for this year is to continue improving my knowledge and skills, developing as a driver, and I am confident I will achieve that through the support of the Academy’s extensive expertise. I can’t wait to begin the journey to Formula One together.”
And Saleh added: “I am proud to have been selected to join the Sauber Academy, and thankful for their support. Several drivers rose through the ranks and made their debut with Sauber Motorsport, and it is a goal of mine to join them in the future. It is a great honour that they have seen the potential in me and intend to invest in my future.”
Here’s the driver list:
Theo Pourchaire (ART Grand Prix) – Formula 2
Lena Buhler (ART GP) – F1 Academy
Marcus Amand (ART GP) – Formula Regional European Championship
Taym Saleh – CIK-OK Championship
Here’s Alessandro Alunni Bravi on his role
Here’s Alfa Romeo during Day 2 of filming
Here’s Day 1 of Alfa Romeo filming
Here’s Jan Monchaux on 2023 car changes
Here’s 2023 Alfa Romeo F1 car/livery
