Get Ready for the Ride: Stake's Grand Entrance into the 2024 Formula 1 Season

The Pit Stop: Behind the Scenes with Stake F1 Team

In 2023, Stake announced that it would be the co-title partner for Sauber. Then, in November 2023, the team’s main sponsor stepped down, and Stake assumed its place. Following the partnership, the gambling operator will take on the role of sole title partner, accruing full naming rights for the team. 

Accelerating to Victory: Stake's Formula 1 Partnership

The team that has previously made waves on the F1 grid as the Alfa Romeo Formula One team, with Italian car brand Alfa Romeo holding the naming rights since 2019. 

In 2023, they secured a three-year sponsorship deal with the online casino Stake. The contract was worth $140 million. 

The new development saw the name "Stake" added to the existing title. However, with the car brand's departure at the end of 2023, Stake upgraded its status to sole title partner. Hence, the team will return to the racing scene as "Stake F1 Team" for the 2024 campaign. 

Meet the Drivers: The Faces Behind the Helmets

Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, who inked deals with the F1 team in 2022, remain the drivers after the rebranding. They retain their positions throughout the upcoming campaign, but their contracts expire at the season's end. 

Both drivers have performed impressively since their debuts in Formula 1. Valtteri, a Finnish driver, kicked off his career in 2013, standing as one of the most promising talents. He secured a strong spot in the 2014 and 2015 seasons and replaced Nico Rosberg at Mercedes in 2016. At Mercedes, he collected 58 podiums, won 10 races, and emerged in the top three of the Champions four times. 

Zhou Guanyu is known for being the first and only Chinese driver to participate in Formula 1. Though joining Bottas on the team brought him into the spotlight, he had previously come third in the 2021 FIA Formula 2 Championship and served on the Renault and Alpine F1 teams. 

With their contacts ending with the season, there’s speculation about the team’s next move regarding its drivers. The question revolves around whether Stake F1 will retain both for the next season or opt for other talents. While there’s been no discussion on changing drivers, there’s a possibility that Guanyu and Valtteri's performance in the 2024 season will influence the team’s decision.

Racing to the Future: Stake's Cutting-Edge Tech in the F1 Circuit

Stake stands out as not only a remarkable gambling platform but also a forward-thinking lifestyle brand. While it runs an online casino and sports betting platform with a track record of offering high-end security and mouth-watering bonuses, the brand has expanded into a niche of impressive sponsorships, brand partnerships and innovative marketing initiatives.

During Stake’s involvement in F1, their fresh approach has been seen through a number of exciting developments in the last year. Notably, the launch of the team’s C43 car was unlike anything seen before.

While it is not unusual for F1 teams to regularly update their vehicles, this was the first time fans had the opportunity to “test drive” a car before it was ever seen on the track! Alongside the usual media pack of CGI images and launch videos, the car was added to EA Sports’ F1 22. 

This is not the only time the team has taken advantage of technology to connect with fans. During Stake’s partnership, they have also used augmented reality experiences and a “fan zone” on the Metaverse platform to keep fans up-to-date and involved throughout the F1 season.

They have committed to investing in new technology in less visible places, too. With enhanced biometric performance analysis for the drivers, renewable energy is used (and produced) at their factory, and high-tech, sustainable clothing has been introduced for staff.

All of these efforts not only increase exposure for the team and sponsors but also contribute to meeting net zero targets for F1 as a whole and the team’s own target of connecting with fans as much as possible. The new $140 million sponsorship deal will no doubt bring even more ground-breaking initiatives to the sport.

What Can I Expect from the Stake F1 Team?

Even with 2023 ending on a disappointing note, as Valtteri and Zhou failed to meet expectations in Abu Dhabi, the team’s director has high hopes for the coming season. 

According to Bravi, both drivers are blessed with skill and talent. He added that their teamwork is impeccable, with each man pushing the other to give his best. These attributes make him believe that while 2023 wasn’t the best season, 2024 is bound to be better.

After the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Valterri noted they needed a new car for better participation. The Stake F1 team is already working towards providing one for their drivers. 

Crossing the Finish Line: Stake's Triumph in the Formula 1 Circuit

Since its inception in 2016, Stake has carved a niche in the online gambling industry with its impressive range of sponsorships. Though its F1 deal will not be the first of its kind, it is one of the biggest, worth $140 million. 

This partnership comes with perks for the gambling platform and the F1 team. Apart from the opportunity for greater exposure to new audiences, the rebranding comes with an injection of cash and expertise that means many will be expecting a better performance from the team’s drivers. Considering how hard they’ve been working behind the scenes, it’s evident that the Stake F1 team aims to make a better impression in 2024.