Is Sauber starting a new trend?
Similar to Ferrari
By Jamie Makin (8/2/2004)
February 8 2004
Since 1997 Sauber has relied on Ferrari engines, rebadged by their sponsor Petronas, to power their F1 race cars. This engine deal replaced the Cosworth engines the team had used in 1995 and 1996.
There is nothing unusual in smaller F1 teams purchasing their engines from another manufacturer to hold down their operating costs. What makes the Sauber/Ferrari deal unique is that is has grown to a depth unparalled by the other teams on the grid.
Sauber originally had to work very hard to convince Ferrari to provide them engines. Ferrari initially declined Sauber's request and to make it happen Peter Sauber had to show Ferrari how the could use it as a training program for their junior technicians. Ferrari saw the benefit, and the relationship began.
The signs that the Sauber and Ferrari ties were tightening became clearer early in the early part of last season. Felipe Massa, Sauber's 2002 rookie driver, moved to Ferrari as a test driver in 2003. Despite his lackluster performance at Sauber, there were already rumors of him returning for 2004. Meanwhile, Sauber's new wind tunnel was nearing completion. This facility has been designed with accomodations for two teams, and Ferrari was showing a lot of interest in renting time in what would become F1's largest and most versatile wind tunnel. Industry insiders started to buzz about Sauber evolving into a Ferrari junior team, even speculating that Sauber would buy Ferrari's F2003-GA chassis for their use in 2004. Peter Sauber responded to these rumors with denial, "We are a customer at Ferrari, not a satellite operation." This denial did not prevent controversy at Monza when Frentzen held up Montoya while being lapped late in the reace, thus taking away his chance to challenge Schumacher for the lead. Despite Frentzen's excuses and apologies after the race, the general concensus was that the two teams had worked together to ensure Schumacher's victory.
Recent events have confirmed that Sauber's link with Ferrari has grown very close. The teams will share test drivers this year, with both Massa and Fisichella getting the green light to test for Ferrari. In turn Ferrari has said their test driver, Luca Badoer, could drive Sauber's third car during Friday practice sessions and Ferrari might even foot the bill for this. Sauber's new C23 is admittedly very similar to Ferrari's own F2004, representing a radical change from Sauber's recent designs. Ferrari has reportedly shared their chassis expertise with Sauber in developing this car. This has already sparked an outcry from the other teams about the legality of the new Sauber. The FIA has responded by saying that it is just different enough from the Ferrari to be considered legal. They are also contemplating changing the rules in the future to allow small teams to buy their chassis from another team outright in an effort to lure more private teams to the series.
Many are asking why Ferrari would do this for Sauber. It is clear what Sauber gains from the arrangement, but what does Ferrari gain? Surprisingly, there are many benefits the Italian team will reap. All of Sauber's telemetry data will be shared with Ferrari. Because the C23 and the F2004 are very similar and use the same engine, Ferrari will learn more about their car in less time. It will also help Ferrari in tyre testing since they will now have two teams running the Bridgestones. Ferrari need all the help they can get with all of their main rivals using Michelins this year. The FIA has placed a limit on 40 days of private testing per team during the season, and Sauber's help will effectively double what Ferrari can get out of these limited sessions. Ferrari will also get some time in Sauber's new wind tunnel which is more advanced than any other team's. The car is not the only thing that will develop better with this shared arrangement, Ferrari's personnel will get a boost as well. Ferrari already employs a number of their own engine technicians on Sauber's team. This is a great training ground for them before moving up to Ferrari's own championship-winning team. Sauber will also give valuable race experience to drivers that Ferrari is looking to develop. The final benefit would be having an ally on track that can help distract the competition. Although the FIA is likely to frown on such tactics, last year's race at Monza is an indication that it will happen anyway. As long as no rules are breached, there is nothing that can stop this.
Other teams have quickly begun to see these benefits and the controversy has already turned into a scramble to be the next one to set up such an arrangement. Renault declared this week that they are interested in starting a partnership with one of the three independent teams for 2005 and beyond. "It wouldn't be just as an engine supplier," Renault CEO Patrick Faure said. "We could have agreements with drivers, engineers and mechanics as well." Renault have hinted at this idea in the past, but are only recently making moves to implement it. They will watch the Sauber/Ferrari closely this year to find ways they can develop a similar arrangment with another team.
It is clear that the trend towards junior teams has begun, but it remains to be seen what the actual pairings will be. Sauber is likely to stick with Ferrari, while Jordan has been showing signs of growing closer to McLaren/Mercedes. Last season it was uncovered that Mercedes had helped Jordan out with their transportation costs. Jordan has been open about negotiating to get a Mercedes engine deal. Although they were unable to break off their contract with Ford/Cosworth this year, the rumor persists that Jordan will run Mercedes engines in 2005. Former McLaren/Mercedes protege Nick Heidfeld has signed with Jordan and this is a sign that the team is trying to attract McLaren/Mercedes to them. That leaves Renault to look towards Minardi as a potential junior team. Although it sounds unlikely that a team striving towards the goal of the championship would look to the perennial backmarker team, both current Renault drivers (Trulli and Alonso) started their F1 careers at Minardi.
This emerging trend of junior teams will be one to watch and could take many twists and turns before becoming a common practice.