F1 team take major sponsor off website amid legal investigation

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F1 team take major sponsor off website amid legal investigation

Originally written by Dan Ripley. This version is a translation.

Thursday 8 February 2024 15:57

Stake F1 have hit a stumbling block ahead of their first season of their rebranded era, with Swiss authorities opening an investigation into the Sauber team's main sponsors.

Stake, a crypto casino operator, took over naming rights from Alfa Romeo after the 2023 season.

It was only on Monday that the team unveiled their new car for the upcoming F1 season, which is to be driven by Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu and features the Stake branding on its glaring black and green livery.

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The team's official name is Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber, but due to the nature of gambling advertisement in certain countries the team will run with the Kick F1 name instead at certain races.

However, the nature of the advertising has raised concerns among the Swiss authorities who have opened an investigation into the sponsor's legal compliance within the national laws.

Stake F1 launched their striking new car for the F1 2024 season on Monday

Sauber though are confident their major sponsor is running all within correct legal matters

Sauber confident all above board

A Sauber spokesperson told GPFans: "Sauber Motorsport AG have always complied and continue to comply with all existing regulations, both Swiss and of whichever country we race in.

"The report of an ongoing investigation by the Swiss Authorities does not concern us: this is a procedure that will highlight our compliance with all applicable regulations."

Sauber Valtteri Bottas Zhou Guanyu Alfa Romeo Stake F1