Singapore Grand Prix: Inside the fast lane with Team Sauber
07 Oct 2025|1,063 views
Formula One (F1) isn't just a sport - it's a spectacle of speed, sound and strategy. But this year's Singapore Grand Prix was a tad more personal as I had an exclusive paddock experience hosted by Audi Singapore, as the carmaker prepares to take the reins of Team Sauber in 2026.
From garage tours to pit lane access and interviews with rising star Gabriel Bortoleto and veteran Nico Hulkenberg, it was a weekend that brought me closer to the heartbeat of F1.
From where we were standing, we could see just how efficient Team Sauber is
Where the magic happens
Needless to say, this is where the real action unfolds - far from the grandstands and hospitality suites. The paddock is a hive of engineers, strategists, and mechanics working in perfect sync. From the moment I arrived, I was immersed in the world of elite motorsport, guided through the intricacies of team operations and race-day preparations.
Team Sauber's garage, just like the rest of the other teams, I'm sure, was a masterclass in controlled chaos. Monitors displayed real-time telemetry, engineers hovered over laptops, and mechanics moved with surgical precision. Every decision was data-driven and every second mattered. You could see it. You could feel it.
Team Sauber rehearsed pit stops with clockwork efficiency
Precision under pressure
The organised mess as well as the sense of urgency amongst the team members can be witnessed as I walked down the pit lane. The smell of burnt rubber, the hum of power units, and the tension in the air - it was nothing short of electric. I watched as Team Sauber rehearsed pit stops with clockwork efficiency. No wasted movement. No second chances.
Audi's presence isn't yet palpable. The branding and the people aren't around just yet, but the brand's vision is clear - Audi isn't just entering F1 to participate. The carmaker is here to compete. And with Sauber as its launchpad, the future looks fast and premium.
The relationship between the two drivers are nothing short of remarkable
Two worlds, one passion
And I say that because I managed to sit down with Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg. Two drivers at different stages of their careers, yet both deeply passionate about racing.
Gabriel, fresh from his Formula 2 campaign, spoke with the hunger of a rising star, "Being part of this transition with Audi is exciting. Every driver wants to become part of a premium brand like Ferrari and Red Bull and they have to jump from one team to another. I am lucky because I don't have to do that. Audi is a premium brand and that's who we will be becoming. The energy is incredible," he said.
Nico, on the other hand, was calm, composed, and reflective. While he gave Gabriel the opportunity to share more about his feelings with regards to Audi coming in next year, Nico did mention that the immense pressures of being an F1 driver is really a privilege and he's very lucky and proud to be in a team like Sauber.
The racing team is poised to become a serious contender come next year when Audi comes in
Engineering meets emotion
Audi Singapore's hospitality isn't just about luxury - it is about storytelling, methinks. The brand showcased its commitment to motorsport, not just as a branding exercise but as a strategic move. From the technical partnerships to the sustainability goals, Audi's approach is holistic.
Its takeover of Sauber shouldn't be seen as just a change in ownership. Rather, it's a transformation. With Audi's engineering prowess and Sauber's racing heritage, the team is poised to become a serious contender in the new era of Formula One come next year.
The experience of Formula One this year has been quite enlightening and fresh
Always about excellence
The experience this year isn't just thrilling, it is enlightening. Formula One isn't just the pinnacle of automotive performance, but it's also a mirror for how brands operate under pressure, innovate relentlessly, and build emotional connections.
At Sgcarmart, we often talk about helping people find the right car. But F1 reminded me that the right car is more than specs - it's about the story, the soul, and the people behind it.
More than just pure adrenaline, Audi's presence, Team Sauber's precision, and the candid moments with Gabriel and Nico made it a weekend of insight and inspiration - more so with the possible rare glimpse into the future of motorsport.
Audi and Sauber are gearing up for something special. And I'm grateful to have seen the beginning of that journey, up close and personal.
Formula One (F1) isn't just a sport - it's a spectacle of speed, sound and strategy. But this year's Singapore Grand Prix was a tad more personal as I had an exclusive paddock experience hosted by Audi Singapore, as the carmaker prepares to take the reins of Team Sauber in 2026.
From garage tours to pit lane access and interviews with rising star Gabriel Bortoleto and veteran Nico Hulkenberg, it was a weekend that brought me closer to the heartbeat of F1.
From where we were standing, we could see just how efficient Team Sauber is
Where the magic happens
Needless to say, this is where the real action unfolds - far from the grandstands and hospitality suites. The paddock is a hive of engineers, strategists, and mechanics working in perfect sync. From the moment I arrived, I was immersed in the world of elite motorsport, guided through the intricacies of team operations and race-day preparations.
Team Sauber's garage, just like the rest of the other teams, I'm sure, was a masterclass in controlled chaos. Monitors displayed real-time telemetry, engineers hovered over laptops, and mechanics moved with surgical precision. Every decision was data-driven and every second mattered. You could see it. You could feel it.
Team Sauber rehearsed pit stops with clockwork efficiency
Precision under pressure
The organised mess as well as the sense of urgency amongst the team members can be witnessed as I walked down the pit lane. The smell of burnt rubber, the hum of power units, and the tension in the air - it was nothing short of electric. I watched as Team Sauber rehearsed pit stops with clockwork efficiency. No wasted movement. No second chances.
Audi's presence isn't yet palpable. The branding and the people aren't around just yet, but the brand's vision is clear - Audi isn't just entering F1 to participate. The carmaker is here to compete. And with Sauber as its launchpad, the future looks fast and premium.
The relationship between the two drivers are nothing short of remarkable
Two worlds, one passion
And I say that because I managed to sit down with Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg. Two drivers at different stages of their careers, yet both deeply passionate about racing.
Gabriel, fresh from his Formula 2 campaign, spoke with the hunger of a rising star, "Being part of this transition with Audi is exciting. Every driver wants to become part of a premium brand like Ferrari and Red Bull and they have to jump from one team to another. I am lucky because I don't have to do that. Audi is a premium brand and that's who we will be becoming. The energy is incredible," he said.
Nico, on the other hand, was calm, composed, and reflective. While he gave Gabriel the opportunity to share more about his feelings with regards to Audi coming in next year, Nico did mention that the immense pressures of being an F1 driver is really a privilege and he's very lucky and proud to be in a team like Sauber.
The racing team is poised to become a serious contender come next year when Audi comes in
Engineering meets emotion
Audi Singapore's hospitality isn't just about luxury - it is about storytelling, methinks. The brand showcased its commitment to motorsport, not just as a branding exercise but as a strategic move. From the technical partnerships to the sustainability goals, Audi's approach is holistic.
Its takeover of Sauber shouldn't be seen as just a change in ownership. Rather, it's a transformation. With Audi's engineering prowess and Sauber's racing heritage, the team is poised to become a serious contender in the new era of Formula One come next year.
The experience of Formula One this year has been quite enlightening and fresh
Always about excellence
The experience this year isn't just thrilling, it is enlightening. Formula One isn't just the pinnacle of automotive performance, but it's also a mirror for how brands operate under pressure, innovate relentlessly, and build emotional connections.
At Sgcarmart, we often talk about helping people find the right car. But F1 reminded me that the right car is more than specs - it's about the story, the soul, and the people behind it.
More than just pure adrenaline, Audi's presence, Team Sauber's precision, and the candid moments with Gabriel and Nico made it a weekend of insight and inspiration - more so with the possible rare glimpse into the future of motorsport.
Audi and Sauber are gearing up for something special. And I'm grateful to have seen the beginning of that journey, up close and personal.
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