F1 team forced to CHANGE NAME for Dutch GP due to strict rules as government claims ‘it’s prohibited’
OFFICIALS have forced an F1 team to change their name for this weekend’s Dutch Grand Prix.
Strict rules in the Netherlands will prevent their usual name and branding from being displayed at Zandvoort.
The change will be apparent as the F1 season resumes following a four-week break.
Even though betting advertising is not illegal in the Netherlands, Stake F1 will not be able to use their name this weekend.
The gambling firm bought the naming rights to the Sauber team ahead of the current season after their previous deal with Alfa Romeo expired.
However, Stake’s website is banned in the Netherlands as the company does not have a licence to operate in the country.
The Kansspelautoriteit Dutch Gaming Authority (Ksa) confirmed they have ordered both the team and F1 not to use their branding.
A statement read: “The Sauber Formula 1 team competes in most international races as ‘Stake F1 Team’.
“Stake is an international gambling provider and main sponsor of the team. Stake does not have a licence from the Ksa and is therefore not allowed to offer gambling in the Netherlands.
“According to the gambling legislation, it is prohibited to offer games of chance without a licence, to advertise these illegal games of chance or to promote participation in them.
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“Online gambling providers without a licence must therefore take measures to prevent participation from the Netherlands, for example by applying geoblocks. Dutch players will then not be able to reach the website.
“Stake has applied such a geoblock. Despite the measures taken by Stake, the Ksa still sees participation by Dutch players.
“The Ksa therefore finds it undesirable that illegal gambling is advertised at a Dutch event with the reach and size of Formula 1.
“Also because the event attracts a lot of attention among vulnerable groups [minors and young adults].
“The board of the Ksa has therefore urgently requested both Sauber and the organisation of the Dutch Grand Prix not to drive under the name Stake and not to advertise for this provider.”
The team will instead run under their alternative Kick Sauber guise as they did in Australia, Spain and Belgium, where gambling firms are banned from advertising.
They are set to be forced to do the same in December at the penultimate race weekend of the season in Qatar.
Stake have a two-year deal with the Sauber team before it officially becomes the Audi works team in 2026.
Zhou Guanyu and Valtteri Bottas are driving for the outfit this year but have yet to pick up a single point from the opening 14 races.
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