Points the aim in Sauber's 150th race

"Imola is one of my favourite circuits," said the 20-year-old. "I know it really well from my days in the Euroseries F3000 Championship. It's a beautiful track that I really enjoy driving on, so I'm looking forward to challenging strongly for some more points."

Sauber made its F1 debut in 1993 with works Mercedes engines and drivers Karl Wendlinger and JJ Lehto. The team caused a stir when Lehto started sixth and finished fifth in the team's first race, but it was a false dawn and Sauber finished seventh in the Constructors' standings that year. Its best season was 2001, when it took 'best of the rest' honours and fourth place in the championship. Nick Heidfeld played an integral role, recording the team's first podium since 1998.

The German was seventh at Imola last time out and thinks the C21 will go well there this year too.

"Imola is a nice track, even with all the chicanes," he said. "I like the fact that it is not all flat, but has climbs and downhill sweeps to vary the flow. It's tough to overtake there, and the circuit places big demands on braking, traction and mechanical grip as well as aerodynamics, but I think we will go well there."

Mika Salo scored Sauber's last point in the San Marino GP when he finished sixth in 2000.