Sauber lauds aero step

The Swiss outfit's new-for-2004 wind tunnel helped the team to make the step forward and Rampf expects it to enable his squad to avoid the sort of drop off in pace that that has often been a Sauber feature over the second half of a season.

Rampf was clearly delighted with Giancarlo's sixth place in the British Grand Prix, achieved despite starting at the back of the grid following an engine change, and though a two-stop strategy played its part, he insisted there was much more to the performance than clever tactics.

"One thing must be clearly said: Lack of speed can never be compensated for by strategy," said Rampf. "The basis, without exception, is a fast car, and that's what Giancarlo had on Sunday."

The reason for that speed was aerodynamic. "Since Imola, we've continuously been using new aerodynamic components from our wind tunnel and consistently improved our performance," explained Rampf. "The biggest step forward we've taken so far was in preparation for Silverstone. We've developed a completely new, extremely slim rear bodywork that has clearly improved downforce as well as the aerodynamic efficiency."

The new tunnel should also help the team to keep improving over the balance of the season too - something it has frequently failed to do in seasons past.

"Our major deficit had always been in the area of aerodynamics," said Rampf. "We didn't have a modern wind tunnel of our own, and that meant that we were lacking the most important piece of the puzzle. Since our own wind tunnel went into operation, we've been able to continuously develop new parts that deliver what we expect of them on the race track. In the past, this hadn't always been the case. And that's why I'm confident that we.ll be able to keep up with the incredible development pace of all the top teams in future as well."