Léna Bühler will continue to be part of the Sauber Academy roster in 2024, in an expanded line up of young talents supported by the Hinwil-based team that now includes two female drivers.
Léna Bühler has been the first female racing driver to ever be enrolled in the Sauber Academy in 2023, when the Swiss racer joined the development program of the F1 team and represented the Hinwil-based outfit in the inaugural season of the all-female F1 Academy.
Bühler enjoyed a highly positive campaign and finished Vice-Champion, with 13 podiums to her name - setting the record for most podiums in a season - and took her first wins in single seaters: a first remarkable victory at Barcelona and a second one in Monza. She also scored two pole positions and a fastest lap.
Her successful season resulted in the Swiss racer making the step up to Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine, as part of the pathway in partnership with F1 Academy that will allow the top three F1 Academy finishers to join a FRECA team in a dedicated fourth car.
Sauber confirmed that Léna will remain part of its Academy program in 2024, in an expanded roster that includes Théo Pourchaire, Taym Saleh and newly signed Carrie Schreiner and Zane Maloney.
“Being part of the Sauber Academy is an amazing opportunity, and I am thankful for all their support throughout 2023", Bühler commented. "I am delighted to be continuing working together this season as I move onto a new challenge in Formula Regional – one I am very much looking forward to embarking, backed by Sauber Academy’s guidance.”
"Léna and Taym too enjoyed a successful 2023, and it’s great to be continuing working with them this season", Beat Zehnder, Sauber Academy Director, added. "We are also delighted to welcome Carrie and Zane to the Academy – two outstanding additions to our talented roster."
Schreiner is the second female driver to join the program and is set to represent the team in the 2024 F1 Academy championship in an entry operated by Campos Racing.
“I am proud to have joined the Sauber Academy and to represent it in F1 Academy this year", Carrie stated. "My goal for this season is only one: to win, and to do so while flying the flag for both the team and the Academy. I am looking forward to getting started, and to achieve many great things together in 2024.”
Launched in 2020, the Sauber Academy was set up to provide a development pathway for elite racing drivers, from grassroots levels in karting up to single seaters, with the goal of reaching the pinnacle of the sport. Sauber has always been a name associated with talent scouting, having brought to the biggest stage stars like Michael Schumacher, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Sebastian Vettel, Robert Kubica, Sergio Pérez, Kimi Räikkönen.
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