F1 Team Ordered to Drop "Stake" Branding at Dutch GP
22 August 2024
Sauber has been instructed to drop its official team name and associated branding at this weekend's Dutch Grand Prix. The Swiss team, having parted ways with Alfa Romeo this year, opted for a direct sponsorship approach, placing online casino Stake at the forefront of its new title.
The team's official acronym, "SF1TKS," which stands for "Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber," was a strategic move given that Stake, as an online gambling platform, is prohibited in certain territories.
This tactic, however, has come under fire, with Switzerland's federal casino commission initiating proceedings against Sauber for illegal advertising. Earlier this year, team representative Alessandro Alunni Bravi had acknowledged the potential for name changes, stating, "If Stake is banned, we will have an alternative team name. Depending on the country, we work with Stake or Kick, a different sponsor."
A "Stake" ban for the Formula 1 team is confirmed for this weekend's race at Zandvoort. The ban holds greater prominence than similar restrictions imposed at events in Australia, Spain, Belgium, and Qatar earlier this season.
The Dutch gaming authority, Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa), issued a statement, declaring, "The Ksa has ordered the organisation of Formula 1 in Zandvoort, the Dutch GP, and the Sauber racing team not to advertise for illegal gambling provider Stake during the event in Zandvoort."
The Ksa further expressed its concern about the promotion of illegal gambling at a high-profile event like Formula 1, particularly due to its potential appeal to vulnerable groups. The board has urgently requested both Sauber and the Dutch GP organisers to refrain from using the "Stake" branding and refrain from advertising the platform.
