Sauber to push on with F-Duct system

The Swiss squad was the first to copy the McLaren design, but is yet to race it despite having introduced a version of it in the Australian Grand Prix.

Key said the team will run a modified version of the system in Barcelona, where he is hoping the package of updates will help Sauber move a step closer to the front after a tough start to the season.

"We have some updates for Barcelona, as most of the teams will have," said Key. "We are trying to push our F-Duct design a step further. This is obviously a technology that will eventually appear all the way down the grid during the year, but our team has some experience of it from the first events.

"Additionally we have a package of updates on the car, which are particularly on the front end and the diffuser. It's a decent package, which will hopefully allow us to find some more performance.

"Obviously a lot depends on how tough the competition is. Some of the steps address the issues the team has identified in terms of the aero characteristics, so it should make the car a little bit better purely through changing the way it behaves."

Spanish driver Pedro de la Rosa is also hopeful of a stronger showing in his home race following a good winter testing there.

"We had a good winter test there and I have the feeling our car suits Barcelona better than some of the more recent tracks," he said. "For the Spanish Grand Prix we will also have a new aero package in place. I'm sure at the end of the race we will either be close to or in the points."