Brazil GP: Alfa Sauber F1 is well on track
13th GP WITH POINTS Alfa Romeo Sauber F1's strongest performance to date in qualifying for the Brazilian GP was rewarded with seventh place for Charles Leclerc. This means the team from Hinwil still holds eighth place among the constructors. The Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 stand was a center of attraction at the 32nd Auto Zürich Car [...].
The Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 stand was a center of attraction at the 32nd Auto Zürich Car Show. During the fire-up, which was staged several times a day, there was no getting through.
Strong team performance in qualifying
While the show team was slowly packing up on Sunday evening, the race team in faraway Brazil ensured another respectable result. Proof of the steady progress since the Hinwil-based team no longer has any financial worries and can continue to develop its car - currently the Sauber C37-Ferrari - until the end of the season.
After his best qualifying so far, Marcus Ericsson started his second-last Grand Prix in an excellent sixth place. With Charles Leclerc right behind him, the chance of scoring further important championship points in the constructors' standings was better than ever.
Early exit for Ericsson
The race was then controversial for the Sauber drivers shortly after the start. While Leclerc gained ground on the first lap, Ericsson had contact with another car. This caused damage to the underbody and front wing. Because the balance of the car was getting worse and the damage greater, the Swede retired after 18 laps.
Meanwhile, Leclerc held on to the front of the midfield and finished the race in seventh place, for the third time this season. As a result, the Monegasque, who will switch to Ferrari in 2019, collected a further six world championship points. These now take him to 14th place in the drivers' standings with a total of 33 points.
Fight for eighth place in the world championship
Together with the nine points scored so far by Ericsson (17th), the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team now has 42 points in the Constructors' World Championship. With Scuderia Toro Rosso (33 points) narrowly missing out on a world championship point with Brendon Harley's eleventh place, and Williams (only 7 points so far) also coming away empty-handed, the Swiss team has been able to extend its lead in the standings ahead of the finale in Abu Dhabi.
Even seventh place is still within reach, which Force India occupies with 48 points. Alfa Sauber F1 has scored points in 13 of the 20 Grands Prix so far in 2018.
Team boss Frédéric Vasseur: "In general, it was a very good weekend for us. However, because of Marcus' retirement, we leave Sao Paolo with mixed feelings. Nevertheless, our performance is good and we are fighting for positions in the championship. We're making steady progress and the result in Brazil is a reward for the hard work the whole team has put in this year, both at the track and in Hinwil. I'm looking forward to finishing the season strongly in Abu Dhabi."
