F1: Sauber Relaunches Driver Academy

Sauber Motorsport have launched a new driver academy, replacing the short lived ‘Sauber Junior Team’ that was run in conjunction with Charouz Racing System in 2019 in both FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3.

The newly named ‘Sauber Academy’ has announced 4 drivers as part of the academy. The 2 biggest names being Theo Pourchaire and Emerson Fittipaldi Jr, along with Dexter Patterson and Petr Ptacek.

The academy will be overseen by Alfa Romeo Racing’s bosses Frederic Vasseur and Beat Zehnder, to “provide inductees with the training necessary to progress on their way to their ultimate target, Formula 1.”

16 year old Frenchman Pourchaire won the ADAC Formula 4 championship in 2019, in just his second year of car racing, beating the likes of Arthur Leclerc and Dennis Hauger. He steps up into FIA F3 for 2020 with frontrunners ART Grand Prix, and as a hotly tipped future F1 star, he is one of the favourites for this year’s F3 title.

He said, “I am really happy to become part of and be supported by the Sauber Academy. It is a truly super chance to learn from one of the sport’s most historical teams.

“I will be the youngest on the grid in FIA F3, where I will be driving with ART Grand Prix, and the support I’ll receive will be crucial to fulfil my goal, which is to win.”

Pourchaire winning in F4

13 year old Fittipaldi Jr is the son of 2 time Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi, and will be racing in the OK-J Karting Championship in 2020 with the Sauber Karting Team.

“I am very proud to be selected by the Sauber Academy along with these three very talented drivers,” said Fittipaldi Jr. “The experience and expertise in motorsport from the Sauber team will help me learn much faster.”

His world champion father added, “When I heard Emmo Jr. had been selected by Sauber Academy, I was extremely happy for him. Emmo Jr. is building a strong foundation to help him achieve his dream of becoming an F1 driver.

“I have known Frederic Vasseur and Beat Zehnder for many years. With their expertise and reputation, I feel very confident that they will provide Emmo Jr. with the proper guidance to be successful on and off the track.”

Emmerson Fittipaldi Jr

Scotsman Dexter Patterson will make his single seater debut in 2020 in the Italian F4 championship, while Czech racer Petr Ptacek will compete in the Formula Renault Eurocup this year.

Sauber has a rich history of developing young drivers, including the likes of current F1 races Kimi Raikkonen and Sergio Perez, Robert Kubica and Michael Schumacher himself.

The organisation, which currently operates Alfa Romeo’s F1 team, looks set to continue that legacy with the new Sauber Academy.