Sauber Unveil 2001 Challenger

The Swiss Sauber team became on Wednesday the third Formula One outfit to launch their 2001 challenger, unveiling the new Ferrari-engined C20 at their base in Hinwil, Switzerland.

Sauber, the third team to launch their new car for 2001 after Jaguar and Jordan, had already tested the new C20 in public during testing in Spain with positive results.

According to the team, the C20 has a stronger monocoque, improved aerodynamics and reduced weight compared to last season's C19 model and it was developed as a result of 35 weeks of wind-tunnel research using a 50 per cent scale model in Emmen.

Freshly reinforced by a sponsorship deal with Swiss bank Credit Suisse, Sauber are building on a long-standing engine deal with world champions Ferrari and Bridgestone tyres.

"The C20 has shown its potential at the rollout in Fiorano [Ferrari's test track] and the test in Jerez," team boss Peter Sauber said at the launch.

"It was ready in good time to enable us to accumulate high test mileage before the start of the season in Melbourne in March. We are convinced that the C20 will be competitive and reliable," he added.

The C20 differs from its predecessor C19 due to changes in the regulations concerning safety and increased areodynamics.

The front wing is mounted higher. The aerodynamics aim to develop greater downforce without generating greater drag, which is the enemy of speed.

Crucial weight savings have been obtained despite the added weight from the new chassis regulations. The car has more carbon fibre and Kevlar parts to meet side impact test and rollover tests. The C20 has fewer parts than its predecessor.

"Reduced weight will allow us to run more ballast and to position it in a wider range of locations," said technical director Willy Rampf.

"This will be particularly important in 2001 as the arrival of Michelin as a challenger to Bridgestone will spark serious tyre competition."

Sauber are no longer the only team besides Ferrari to use the Italian team's engines. The Prost team will also be running simnilar engines, inviting interesting comparisons.

Chief aerodynamicist Seamus Mullarkey added that, due to the new technical regulations, the new aerodynamic package has to be completed re-designed.

"The revised technical regulations forced us to completely rethink our aerodynamic package, " he said. "What you see on the C20 will change as the car develops further through the season. Aerodynamic research is an area of Formula One car design which never ceases."

The Swiss team will have Kimi Raikkonen and Nick Heidfeld as their two drivers.