Sauber Sets Sights on Fourth Place

Team boss Peter Sauber said today that he wants his Swiss-based team to match Renault in the 2003 season and secure the 'best of the rest' spot in fourth place in the manufacturers' championship.

Speaking at the launch of the C22 at a "Art on Ice" presentation in Zurich, Sauber said he wants to build upon the performances of the past two years when his team finished fourth and fifth in the Championship.

The boss of the Hinwil-based team said he wants to match Renault "toe-to-toe" this year and show that privateer teams in Formula One like his have a strong future in the manufacturer-dominated sport.

"It is our goal to play a key role in the World Championship chasing the top three teams (Ferrari, McLaren and Williams) this year," said Sauber. "We want to be toe-to-toe with Renault.

"Every one manufacturer in Formula One must have the goal of winning the World Championship. The efforts they put in are absolutely tremendous. But we are highly motivated, everyone in the team is motivated."

Sauber have introduced a new wind-tunnel at the Hinwil base and the team boss said that single factor was the reason behind the decision to turn down the option of switching to the new testing regulation in 2003.

He added: "We have chosen a forward thinking strategy this year with the new wind-tunnel. We want to prove that we are capable of extremely good results and be at the head of the pursuers."