F1 News: Dutch Authorities Enforce Name Change on Sauber for Grand Prix

The 2024 Formula 1 season resumes with the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort, but all eyes are on the Stake F1 team—better known as Sauber—due to the Dutch government’s insistence on a name change for the race weekend. The demand arises from the Netherlands’ stringent laws against unlicensed gambling advertisements, which have thrown a wrench into the team’s plans.

Stake, the team’s title sponsor, is an Australian-Curacaoan gambling company that currently operates without a license in the Netherlands, making its promotion illegal.

Although Stake has implemented geo-blocking to restrict Dutch users' access to its services, the Dutch government remains unconvinced. Reports of Dutch citizens continuing to access the site have led to heightened scrutiny and a stern request from the Kansspelautoriteit (Ksa), the Dutch gambling authority.

The Ksa's intervention comes as the country grapples with the challenges of regulating online gambling. With Formula 1 being a massive draw, the Ksa is particularly concerned about the potential exposure of illegal gambling to vulnerable groups, including minors and young adults. The authority has explicitly asked Formula 1 and Sauber to refrain from using the Stake name at Zandvoort.

In a statement released by the Ksa , the agency underscored its position:

"The board of the Ksa has therefore urgently requested both Sauber and the organization of the Dutch Grand Prix not to drive under the name Stake and not to advertise for this provider."

As a result, the Stake F1 team is expected to operate under its alternative moniker, Kick Sauber, throughout the Dutch Grand Prix. This isn’t the first time the team has faced such restrictions—similar measures were enforced at the Australian, Belgian, and Spanish Grands Prix. Looking ahead, the team will also adopt the Kick Sauber name during the Qatar Grand Prix, one of the final stops in the 24-race season.

The decision to use an alternate name highlights the ongoing challenges that Formula 1 teams face when navigating the complex web of international advertising regulations. As the sport continues to grow in popularity and reach, compliance with local laws becomes increasingly crucial, especially in countries like the Netherlands, where the authorities take a hard line on gambling.