2025 Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Highlights

Progress and frustration for the Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber in the thrilling 2025 Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. It was a weekend of mixed emotions for the Stake F1 Team KICK Sauber at Imola, marked by strategic gambles, gritty drives, and the fine margins that define Formula 1.

The team rolled the dice with a split-strategy approach, which initially paid off for Nico Hülkenberg. Starting 17th on the hard compound tyres, Nico delivered a composed and tactical race. A well-timed pit stop under the Virtual Safety Car on lap 30 saw him vault into the top ten, eyeing a strong points finish. But as the race reached its climax, a late neutralisation reshuffled the pack—pushing Nico just outside the points in P12 after a commendable charge.

Gabriel Bortoleto showed early pace and potential on the other side of the garage. However, higher-than-anticipated tyre degradation forced a shift to a two-stop strategy. A lack of grip on the medium compound post-safety car stifled his momentum, and despite his efforts, Gabi crossed the line in P18.

With Imola in the rear-view mirror, the team now sets its sights on the most iconic challenge of the season: the Monaco Grand Prix. Precision, bravery, and execution will be key on the streets of Monte Carlo.

Nico Hulkenberg, Driver, Kick Sauber F1 Team

This was definitely one of my stronger races this year. We were noticeably more competitive than at previous weekends, and I felt more comfortable in the car compared to Friday and Saturday. The timing of the virtual safety car was fortunate, putting us in a position to fight for points. Unfortunately, the safety car late in the race didn’t work in our favour. At the restart, I found myself surrounded by faster cars on fresher tyres, and I just couldn’t hold off Yuki (Tsunoda) or Fernando (Alonso). Ultimately, a combination of factors kept us from scoring points. We still have some ground to make up on pure pace, but with margins this tight, even small improvements can have a huge impact.

Gabriel Bortoleto, Driver, Kick Sauber F1 Team

Today’s race was definitely challenging. On the bright side, our pace was solid, especially on the hard tyres, which was encouraging. The first stint was going well until the Virtual Safety Car came at an unfortunate time and disrupted our momentum significantly. After that, it was tough to capitalise on any opportunities. It’s frustrating to feel like we were in the wrong place at the wrong time for most of the race. Still, I’m pleased with the progress we made in pace, even if the results don’t fully reflect it. Now, it’s time to dig into the data, learn from our mistakes, and come back stronger in Monaco next week.

Jonathan Wheatley, Team Principal, Kick Sauber F1 Team

Ultimately, it’s a race full of mixed emotions. After the safety car period, it looked like Nico had a real shot at scoring points. Holding off a Red Bull is never easy, and unfortunately, the car’s balance deteriorated, which saw Nico finish in P12. Gabi started P14, and we went into the race with high hopes. However, we were a bit slow to react to the tyre degradation and had to switch to a two-stop strategy mid-race — a call that cost us dearly until the checkered flag. The decision to try the medium tyres after the safety car also didn’t pay off; those tyres simply weren’t up to the challenge, and we lost crucial track position, with Gabi ending up in P18. We need to thoroughly review our internal processes and apply what we’ve learned swiftly as we prepare for the next rounds in Monaco and Barcelona.

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