Sauber eyes cash boost from Formula 1 form upturn in 2015
Sauber believes it has a chance to close out a number of new sponsorship deals following its upturn in form at the start of the 2015 Formula 1 season
Last year the Swiss marque failed to score a point for the first time in its F1 history.
But following the opening six grands prix of 2015, Sauber is leading the midfield scrap as it sits in fifth place in the constructors' championship ahead of Force India, Lotus and Toro Rosso.
Team boss Monisha Kaltenborn believes staying there could be an uphill struggle without further income.
"What I'd love to see is us stay where we are, which of course I know is going to be practically very difficult," she told AUTOSPORT.
"But we're not just going to give up and say it was a nice time and just look to the back and now defend.
"There are going to be races where we'll be more competitive, some less. A lot depends for us on our funding.
"Of course, the more we have of that the more we develop. We've shown that when we develop, it usually comes out quite right, and then we can take our steps."
Sauber's haul of 21 points has at least paved the way to negotiations taking place with potential investors.
"Our start to the season has helped," said Kaltenborn.
"A lot of good talks are going on, but it always takes a lot more than just good results.
"We saw that in 2012. You can have a lot more people calling and talking to you, but to close a deal is still very difficult.
"Hopefully the talks will lead to something and there will be more sponsors on the car in the coming races."
The encouraging results have at least helped the team's spirit, Kaltenborn added.
"It's been a very tough time for the team in so many ways, but they've remained very focused and worked very hard," she said.
"It's not been easy, but the motivation has been there, and I'm very, very glad for the team and each person in the team when we can deliver the kind of results we have.
"The team know we are making the most of what we have, and it just gives them a new impetus to fight for things."
LEADING CONSTRUCTORS' STANDINGS:
| Pos | Constructor | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mercedes | 242 |
| 2 | Ferrari | 158 |
| 3 | Williams/Mercedes | 81 |
| 4 | Red Bull/Renault | 52 |
| 5 | Sauber/Ferrari | 21 |
| 6 | Force India/Mercedes | 17 |
| 7 | Lotus/Mercedes | 16 |
| 8 | Toro Rosso/Renault | 15 |
The post-Monaco Grand Prix blues
Onus on big Formula 1 teams to make customer car case - Force India
Laser Tools Racing continues in BTCC with Hill
The Laser Tools Racing name that was carried to British Touring Car Championship titles in 2020 and 2021 will continue in the series after all with Jake Hill.
McLaren to share F1 reserve driver Schumacher with Mercedes
Mercedes Formula 1 reserve driver Mick Schumacher will be also made available as a stand-in to McLaren, the Woking team has announced.
NASCAR Next Gen car gets safety upgrades for 2023 season
NASCAR unveiled some changes to the Next Gen car for the 2023 season, with most enhancing its safety aspects.
O’Ward optimistic about Rossi and that McLaren IndyCar DNFs can be reduced
Arrow McLaren ace Pato O’Ward says he’s confident that Alexander Rossi will be a strong addition to the line-up and that the team has gotten on top of its mechanical woes.
The Mercedes F1 pressure changes under 10 years of Toto Wolff
OPINION: Although the central building blocks for Mercedes’ recent, long-lasting Formula 1 success were installed before he joined the team, Toto Wolff has been instrumental in ensuring it maximised its finally-realised potential after years of underachievement. The 10-year anniversary of Wolff joining Mercedes marks the perfect time to assess his work
The all-French F1 partnership that Ocon and Gasly hope to emulate
Alpine’s signing of Pierre Gasly alongside Esteban Ocon revives memories of a famous all-French line-up, albeit in the red of Ferrari, for BEN EDWARDS. Can the former AlphaTauri man's arrival help the French team on its path back to winning ways in a tribute act to the Prancing Horse's title-winning 1983?
How do the best races of F1 2022 stack up to 2021?
OPINION: A system to score all the grands prix from the past two seasons produces some interesting results and sets a standard that 2023 should surely exceed
Who were the fastest drivers in F1 2022?
Who was the fastest driver in 2022? Everyone has an opinion, but what does the stopwatch say? Obviously, differing car performance has an effect on ultimate laptime – but it’s the relative speed of each car/driver package that’s fascinating and enlightening says ALEX KALINAUCKAS
Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
He has more starts without a podium than anyone else in Formula 1 world championship history, but Nico Hulkenberg is back for one more shot with Haas. After spending three years on the sidelines, the revitalised German is aiming to prove to his new team what the F1 grid has been missing
The potential-laden F1 car that Ferrari neglected
The late Mauro Forghieri played a key role in Ferrari’s mid-1960s turnaround, says STUART CODLING, and his pretty, intricate 1512 was among the most evocative cars of the 1.5-litre era. But a victim of priorities as Formula 1 was deemed less lucrative than success in sportscars, its true potential was never seen in period
Why Vasseur relishes 'feeling the pressure' as Ferrari's F1 boss
OPINION: Fred Vasseur has spent only a few weeks as team principal for the Ferrari Formula 1 team, but is already intent on taking the Scuderia back to the very top. And despite it being arguably the most demanding job in motorsport, the Frenchman is relishing the challenge
The crucial tech changes F1 teams must adapt to in 2023
Changes to the regulations for season two of Formula 1's ground-effects era aim to smooth out last year’s troubles and shut down loopholes. But what areas have been targeted, and what impact will this have?
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.