Amand cruises to the podium as Sauber Academy enjoys a busy September
It’s been a month packed with action for the Sauber Academy drivers, who have each been busy with their respective campaigns, as well as training, doing simulator work, and preparing for the final stages of the 2023 season.
With the Formula 2 championship on an extended break until the title battle showdown, which will take place at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi at the end of November, Théo Pourchaire resumed his reserve driver duties with Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake. As drivers, Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, hit the track, Théo worked in parallel in the simulator, providing crucial insight as the race team in Singapore and in Suzuka put their effort into maximising the new upgrade package for the C43. The young Frenchman, who sits at the top of the F2 standings with a 25-points lead over Frederik Vesti, will continue his simulator work throughout October, while also supporting the team in Austin and Mexico City.
After having joined Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake trackside in Monza at the beginning of September, Léna Bühler kept up with her training schedule as she prepares for the final round of F1 Academy. The first season of the all-female series will come to its conclusion at the end of the month in Austin, Texas, as a support event for the 2023 United States Grand Prix; together with her F1 Academy competitors, Léna recently traveled to Austin for the final round prelude, as preparations are already ongoing at the Circuit of The Americas. Currently second in the championship, 48 points behind standings leader Marta García, the Swiss racer will be going for the title at the final three races of the season, with the whole team ready to cheer on her and the brilliant results achieved so far.
Marcus Amand resumed racing in September, at the seventh and eighth rounds of the 2023 Formula Regional European Championship. The French-Finnish racer was busy with back-to-back race weekends in Spielberg and Monza, as well as taking part in collective tests at both venues. While the Styrian alps held no luck for Marcus, who only collected a P24 and an unfortunate DNF, the Autodromo Nazionale Monza saw him enjoying a stellar weekend. Starting second in Race One after having set the fastest time in his group, the young racer held his position throughout the race, eventually crossing the finish line in second place – and first in the rookies’ class. Marcus kept up with his performance in Race 2, which he concluded in P9, bringing home further points. Marcus' 2023 campaign will head to the Netherlands and Germany next, for the ninth and tenth rounds of the Championship, which will come to its conclusion at the Hockenheimring at the end of October.
Taym Saleh returned to Franciacorta for Round 5 of the Champions of the Future series. The young racer showed strong pace throughout the weekend, finishing every qualifying round in the top ten; he then enjoyed a solid race, where he was able to gain sixteen positions on track, finishing just outside the top ten. The young German driver headed to Franciacorta once more at the beginning of October, as the track hosted the OK-Junior World Championship round. Being in strong form in all sessions, always finishing within the top three through practice and qualifying, Taym couldn’t maximise his performances during the race, as he suffered an unfortunate DNF. He will resume racing at the end of the month in Saronno, Italy – aiming to keep up with the strong form shown throughout the season.
As autumn approaches, so are the final stages of the 2023 campaigns. Each driver will keep up with the work done so far, collecting outstanding achievements and carrying the Sauber Academy name all around Europe – and the world.