The Rush to Reveal: Creating the Stake F1 Team’s 2024 Showcar

With only 12 hours remaining before the car ships to the launch event, the team raced against time to finish the Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber 2024 showcar. The journey began when the bodywork arrived from the composite department. The immediate task was to prepare the car meticulously for painting. Every inch of the chassis that couldn’t be sprayed had to be taped up carefully, ensuring that the exposed carbon fiber remained untouched. This stage was critical as it set the foundation for the flawless paint job that followed.

The painting process involved multiple layers, starting with a ground coat acting as a wet primer. This was followed by a pearl coat with a hint of metallic. The final touch was a special metallic effect that added depth and shine, protected by a layer of lacquer. This custom color, created exclusively for Sauber, is eco-friendly with the lowest VCC of any paint on the market, contributing towards a net-zero goal. Once painted, the car was assembled back in the build department, ready for the sponsor stickers that would complete its striking look for the 2024 season.

Preparation for Painting

As the countdown began, with merely 12 hours left before the car’s shipment, the pressure was palpable. The bodywork arrived from the composite department, marking the start of a meticulous preparation process. This initial stage required absolute precision, as the crew had to ensure that sections of the chassis meant to flaunt the exposed carbon fiber were carefully taped up. This step was crucial; any mistake here could compromise the quality of the final paint job.

The taping process was labor-intensive, demanding a keen eye for detail. Every corner and edge needed to be covered without leaving even the slightest gap. This ensured that during the subsequent painting phase, the areas destined to remain carbon fiber wouldn’t inadvertently get sprayed. This unerring attention to detail laid the groundwork for the flawless appearance of the vehicle.

The Intricate Painting Process

Preparing the paint was an art form in itself. The team began by mixing a special powder with a chemical to create a paste, kick-starting a three-stage painting process. The first coat, known as the ground coat, acted almost like a wet primer. This foundational layer ensured that subsequent layers would adhere perfectly and smoothly.

Next came the pearl coat, which consisted of a green base with a subtle metallic element. This layer added depth and complexity to the car’s color. The third and final step was the application of a special metallic effect that truly made the paint job pop under the light. This custom color, exclusive to Sauber, isn’t available on the market and represents the pinnacle of eco-friendly automotive paint technology. It features the lowest Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) content, contributing significantly to the goal of achieving net-zero emissions.

Assembly and Detailing

Once the paint job was completed to perfection, the car moved from the paint shop to the build department. Here, the various components were assembled to form the main chassis. Unlike many showcars, this one featured working wheels and a functional steering wheel, making the assembly phase all the more intricate and demanding.

The build team painstakingly fit every part together, ensuring that the car was not only visually stunning but also structurally sound. This phase was a delicate balance of art and engineering, as the team had to carefully maneuver the freshly painted parts into place without causing any damage.

Applying the Finishing Touches

With the car fully assembled, the final step in the process was the application of sponsor stickers. This might sound straightforward, but it was anything but. The stickers needed to be applied with exact precision to complement the striking green paint job. This task required a steady hand and an eye for perfection, as any misalignment could detract from the car’s overall look.

The team worked relentlessly, knowing the clock was ticking with only 12 hours left before the car’s grand reveal in London. The finishing touches involved applying stickers to the headrest, rear wing, and the front nose, ensuring every part of the car adhered to the design specifications. The culmination of months of hard work and secrecy, the car was finally ready to dazzle the world at its launch event.

In a mere 12 hours, the team at Memento Exclusives transformed a series of raw components into a spectacle of engineering and artistry—the Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber 2024 show car. From the precise taping of the chassis to the intricate multi-layered painting process, every step was executed with meticulous attention to detail.

The custom green paint, eco-friendly and unique to Sauber, added a stunning visual appeal, while the assembly and final sticker application ensured the car was not only aesthetically pleasing but also structurally sound. The dedicated efforts of the team culminated in a show car that perfectly mirrored the special requirements of an F1 vehicle, ready to dazzle at its reveal in London.

This project, shrouded in secrecy for months, is a testament to the skill and dedication of the team. Their relentless hard work and finesse have resulted in a show car that is not just a replica but a piece of art ready to represent the Stake F1 Team for the 2024 season.