The driver market is particularly active this year, with many teams having already defined their line-up for 2025. However, there are those who still have one or more seats to fill, such as Sauber, which will officially become Audi from 2026 . The team still has a free seat next to the confirmed Nico Hülkenberg. Among the names that were linked to this place, that of Alex Palou stood out, indicated by the Germans of Auto Motor Und Sport. The Spanish driver, a two-time IndyCar champion with Chip Ganassi Racing, was seen as a potential candidate for the second seat. However, Palou recently denied these rumors, leaving Audi's future still uncertain.
Alex Palou's denial
Palou has categorically denied speculation regarding his move to Formula 1 with Sauber-Audi. In a statement to the site IndyStar, he has declared: “Audi? It's all false. I have had zero contact with them.” The Spanish rider added: “I'm not trying to leave – I tried, I had a little taste, it was fun and I learned, but I'm fine as it is.” Palou has made it clear that his current priority is to remain in IndyCar, where he has found great success and satisfaction, and has ruled out any interest in returning to Formula 1 at the moment.
The alternatives for Sauber
The choice of the second driver for 2025 is crucial for Sauber-Audi, which is preparing for a major transition to Audi control in 2026. The decision on who will join Hülkenberg will have a significant impact on the competitiveness of the team and the construction of its future identity. With Alex Palou definitively ruled out, the question remains open: who will be the driver to complete Sauber's line-up for next season?
Among the most discussed alternatives are Sergio Perez, Daniel Ricciardo, Mick Schumacher, who could return to Formula 1 and young talents such as Liam Lawson and Gabriel Bortoleto. Lawson and Bortoleto, although promising, are still tied to contracts with other teams, which could complicate their inclusion. Another interesting name relaunched this time by the Austrians is that of Sebastian Vettel. The German could sensationally return to Formula 1, perhaps from 2026 by relying on Mattia Binotto and Jonathan Wheatley just arrived from Red Bull. This scenario is unlikely to occur, but in Formula 1, as we know, anything is possible.
