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Sauber F1’s title sponsor Stake found themselves in hot waters ahead of the Formula 1 2024 season. There were earlier reports that the F1 team could face a fine in Switzerland over its spo nsorship deal with the gambling company. However, as per the latest updates, the name of th eir sponsor Stake has been removed from their official website leaving only Kick in their branding.
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Needless to say, the removal of Stake’s name from their branding at this point would mark a key moment in the F1 team’s pre-season campaign. Earlier, SRF reported that the national gambling regulator began proceedings against Sauber, and the team could face a fine of up to $573k. The gambling site became Sauber’s sponsor in 2023 and played a significant role in the season after Alfa Romeo left. This isn’t the first time Sauber removed Stake from its cars ahead of some races due to local laws.
Apart from this, the F1 company has also been forced to consider alternative branding, which would include changing the team’s name as well as the sponsor logos. Sauber partnered with Stake to expand the team’s global appeal and widen the fanbase. Currently, the team faces some serious challenges, because the Swiss Federal Casino Commission decided to open proceedings against them.
Since the gambling laws vary significantly across the F1 circuit it would be important for Sauber to be adaptable to different local regulations. Earlier, team principal Alessandro Alunni Bravi stated, “As we did last year, we will adhere to all applicable laws," he says. "And if Stake is banned, we will have an alternative team name. Depending on the country, we work with Stake or Kick, a different sponsor.”
