Motorsport: Spirit of optimism in the Sauber team
The change of ownership at the Sauber F1 Team has been known for just under a week. No miracles can be expected now, although there is great relief in Hinwil and the team is working at full throttle on the future. The Sauber team's Renault trucks, loaded with Formula 1 material, drove from Budapest directly to Hockenheim, where the mechanics were able to put the two Sauber C35-Ferrari [...]
The Sauber team's Renault trucks, loaded with Formula 1 material, drove directly from Budapest to Hockenheim, where the mechanics are preparing the two Sauber C35-Ferrari cars on site for the German Grand Prix. As in Hungary, the new rear wing will be tried out on both cars by Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr in the first free practice session, after which a decision will be made on the basis of the data collected as to when it will be used in a qualifying session or race. All in all, this new component should improve downforce and the DRS function.
Evolution of current models is no longer possible
Either way, one should not expect miracles now, emphasizes press spokesman Robert Höpoltseder. "The whole thing has to slowly move in a different direction, and that takes time. The car remains as it is and cannot be changed from one race to the next." If it does, the funds now available through the acquisition of Longbow Finance S.A. will have an impact on next year's car, but time is already short for that, he said. That's because, due to the radical change in technical regulations (including wider chassis and wider tires), evolutions of current models are no longer possible; instead, completely new designs are necessary - and their conception is practically complete.
The hunt for tenth place in the world championship begins at Hockenheim
So it's more likely that the flow of money will have an impact on the 2018 C37 if - as promised - the Sauber name and therefore also the type designations are retained. In addition, a new Technical Director will then also exert his influence. After many specialists have left in recent months, some are now knocking on Hinwil's door again. Since sporting success cannot be bought in a hurry, the Swiss national team can only be wished the best of luck at its home race in Hockenheim and in the other nine races after the summer break.
In Austria, Pascal Wehrlein gave the Manor team a longed-for world championship point with a top driving performance in tenth place. Sauber's minimum goal for the second half of the season is now to knock Manor out of tenth place in the Constructors' World Championship again and thus receive money from Bernie Ecclestone's bonus pot. Ninth place in the championship, currently occupied by Renault with just six points, is also still within reach. Robert Höpoltseder emphasizes: "Whatever is in the pipeline for the current car will be tried to be implemented. But our main focus is already clearly on 2017."
www.sauberf1team.com
Photos: Daniel Reinhard
