Sauber has eye on 2016 F1 car with update for Singapore Grand Prix
Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn says the upgrade to be introduced at the Singapore Grand Prix has been designed with the 2016 Formula 1 car in mind
Sauber scored a double-points finish in the season-opener in Australia - with Felipe Nasr an impressive fifth - and again in China, since when the Swiss team has predominantly struggled as few updates have been added to the C34.
With the car now boasting an improved power unit since the summer break from supplier Ferrari, the next step for Sauber is a significant development in the chassis - which includes a new nose and front wing - in Singapore.
"The chassis update is not looking that bad," Kaltenborn told AUTOSPORT.
"What we put on that will be important and effective for the following year's car.
"We have very much kept 2016 in mind and tried to change many concepts in how we think about the car.
"Sauber cars have always had weaknesses. Yes, for one or two years we didn't have them, but now we're back to them.
"It takes some time to get out of that, but I think we have reached a point where conceptually we have brought up something else, and I think that will show in next year's car."
After sitting as high as fifth in the constructors' championship early in the season, Sauber has dropped to eighth as other teams have out-developed the outfit.
However, Kaltenborn said the team was prepared for that to happen, and highlighted the improved performance compared to last year when the team failed to score a point.
"Before the season started, we were at a point where it couldn't get any worse so it was not difficult to define where we wanted to go to," added Kaltenborn.
"We knew we had to catch up a lot and that the whole package had to get more competitive, which it did prove to be.
"We also knew it would not be easy to keep up this season after the first few races, that's why we have to set our focus points at different parts in the season.
"If you're limited on the development side, you cannot bring something to every race.
"So we focused more on the the beginning of the season and we knew the next development would be later in the season.
"We knew at that point it would probably be the second-half of the season - and we stuck to that."
Previous article
The biggest losses to the F1 calendar
Next article
Mercedes reserve driver Pascal Wehrlein focused on DTM, not F1
The forgotten F1 comeback that began Jordan’s odyssey
Before Michael Schumacher – or anyone else – had driven the 191 (or 911 as it was initially called), Eddie Jordan turned to a fellow Irishman to test his new Formula 1 car. JOHN WATSON, a grand prix winner for Penske and McLaren, recalls his role in the birth of a legend…
The squandered potential of a 70s F1 underdog
A podium finisher in its first outing but then never again, the BRM P201 was a classic case of an opportunity squandered by disorganisation and complacency, says STUART CODLING
The other notable Monza escape that F1 should learn from
OPINION: The headlines were dominated by the Italian Grand Prix crash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who had the halo to thank for avoiding potentially serious injury. But two days earlier, Formula 1 had a lucky escape with a Monza pitlane incident that could also have had grave consequences
How Monza only added more questions to F1's sprint race conundrum
With two sprint races under its belt, Formula 1 must now consider its options for them going forward. While they've helped deliver exciting racing on Sundays, the sprints themselves have been somewhat lacking - creating yet another conundrum for F1 to solve...
Who should Alfa Romeo sign for 2022's F1 season?
OPINION: With Valtteri Bottas already signed up for 2022, all eyes are on the race for the second seat at Alfa Romeo next year. Antonio Giovinazzi is the current incumbent, but faces a tough competition from appealing short and long-term prospects
The "forced break" that was key to Ricciardo's Monza excellence
OPINION: Daniel Ricciardo has long been considered one of Formula 1’s elite drivers. But his struggles at McLaren since switching from Renault for 2021 have been painful to watch at times. Yet he’s recovered to banish those memories with a famous Monza win – built on a critically important foundation
How Verstappen is ruining his F1 title battle with Hamilton
OPINION: The Italian GP clash between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen followed a running theme in the 2021 Formula 1 title fight. Their close-quarters battles have often resulted in contact - and although Hamilton has shown a willingness to back off, Verstappen must learn to temper his aggression
Italian Grand Prix Driver Ratings
Two drivers produced maximum-score performances as, for the second year in a row, Monza threw up an unpredictable result that left several others ruing what might have been
