Sauber announce academy line-up for 2023

Sauber Motorsport have announced the line-up for the Sauber Academy for the upcoming 2023 season. The line-up will include Formula 2 driver Théo Pourchaire, F1 Academy novice Lena Bühler, French-Finnish rising star Marcus Amand, and karting racer Taym Saleh.

Pourchaire, the 2022 Formula 2 season runner-up, has been a member of the Sauber Academy since 2020 and also serves as the Reserve Driver for the Alfa Romeo team.

Bühler, who has taken part in BMX competitions, the Formula Regional European Championship, the Formula Regional Asian Championship and Formula 4, will soon be making her F1 Academy debut.

Amand, meanwhile, is one of the most promising karting talents in Europe and has taken part in the Italian F4 and will take part in the Formula Regional European Championship in 2023.

Finally, Saleh is a young racer who has been a member of the Sauber Karting Team.

Beat Zehnder, Sporting Director of Sauber Motorsport, commented:

“Discovering and nurturing young talent has always been at the centre of Sauber Motorsport’s philosophy, with the ultimate aim of raising the champions of tomorrow. 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.“

Théo Pourchaire said:

“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.“

Léna Bühler 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.“

Marcus Amand, said:

“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.“

Taym 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.“

The Sauber Academy was launched in 2020 as a full development pathway, giving young drivers access to Sauber’s expertise and know-how and allowing them to take part in specifically designed development programmes to complement their racing activities.