McLaren ‘won't stop’ Sauber hopeful from F1 2025 move with ‘conversations ongoing’

McLaren's CEO has cooled speculation linking the team with a potential part takeover of Sauber, but admits there are ongoing talks between the two parties about a range of subjects.

McLaren Racing CEO, Zak Brown, has admitted the team and Sauber are continuing to discuss a whole range of topics, conceding that the Swiss team 'would be a good partner' to the Woking-based squad.

Speculation about a closer relationship between McLaren and Sauber has mounted recently, following similar reports about Audi's potential involvement with the Hinwil-based outfit.

But Brown quashed rumors that McLaren was considering buying a stake in Sauber, a Swiss team with close ties to Audi's parent company, the Volkswagen Group.

When asked if McLaren's interest in Sauber was strictly related to its F1 operations, Brown said: “I wouldn't say exclusively because when you're in discussions with a team, you end up discussing a lot of different things.

"Formula 1 is a very expensive sport and when you're in that environment, you have to consider everything. Not only the racing side, but the commercial side, the marketing side, the technology side, the driver programs."

Brown stated that McLaren was "certainly not in any discussions about buying Sauber," but declined to rule out other forms of collaboration with the team.

"I think Andreas Seidl [McLaren team principal] has a lot of respect for what Fred Vasseur [Sauber team principal] has done," Brown explained. "He's obviously been watching the Sauber team progress this year with a lot of admiration.

"I think Fred is a very sharp F1 team manager, and I think Andreas respects that.

"So as far as our discussions, I think they're very much ongoing because we're looking at what makes sense for both parties and we'll just have to see where things land.

"But I wouldn't rule out anything with Sauber, because they've got a great facility, they've got a great workforce, a very good driver lineup, very good management, so I think they'd be a good partner for us in many respects."

McLaren, the second-oldest active team in F1 after Ferrari, has slipped down the grid in recent seasons but is showing signs of recovery thanks to a new partnership with Mercedes for engines.

Sauber, meanwhile, has made significant progress in the past two seasons with Ferrari power and currently sits sixth in the constructors' championship, ahead of McLaren.