Sauber Team Reflects on Recent Performance Gains
By Jamie Makin
May 30 2004
Team SAUBER PETRONAS' 2004 season got off to a rough start with the three fly-away races, but now that the first European leg of the season is underway, the team's performance has made a noticeable improvement.
"Improved performance" was the goal laid out by team owner, Peter Sauber at the start of this season. Although they struggled at first to work towards that goal, progress is now being made. Driver Giancarlo Fisichella and technical director, Willy Rampf share their thoughts on these recent improvements.
Why did the team's season get off to such a slow start? "There are several factors." reckoned Fisichella. "During the first part of the season with the three overseas races we could not do any testing like the big 'works' teams because we don´t have unlimited resources."
While Sauber has worked hard, other teams have been able to do more which has hampered the small Swiss team's efforts. Rampf explained that, "there are seven works teams, and all of them are making enormous efforts, because they´ve got to win races. The reliability of the top teams has improved significantly. We´re hardly seeing any more cars retiring due to technical failures." This translates to less point-scoring opportunities for Sauber when the faster cars are able to finish.
The team has been testing regularly since returning to Europe and has also gotten their new 55 million USD wind tunnel up and running. The fruits of their labour paid off quickly with new parts used in Imola and Barcelona. Did the performance improvements surprise the drivers? "Not really. The team is working very hard to give me a competitive car and we are getting faster and faster," said Fisichella. "Now, as the European season has begun, we are in the normal rhythm doing tests after each race. As a result, we understand the car better and better and are more able to exploit the great potential of the C23. In addition, Bridgestone is making constant progress, and since the race in Imola we are benefiting from the work done in our new wind tunnel."
Has the wind tunnel contributed that greatly to a quicker car. "Yes, absolutely," insisted Rampf. "With each week we´re working in the new tunnel, we´re gaining new insights. In terms of dimensions and speed, we actually ventured out onto new terrain. In other words, we had no experience factors to draw on. This wind tunnel is a highly complex tool, and it takes time until you can use it perfectly. Above all, the importance of being able to measure a full-size car has become clearly evident. Nevertheless, CFD development, as well, which we´re performing hand in hand with our wind tunnel work, plays a role that shouldn´t be underestimated."
Last week's Spanish Grand Prix resulted in Sauber's best result of the year when Giancarlo Fisichella finished in 7th place. Not only did he pick up two valuable points, but he also beat both cars of works teams Toyota, Jaguar and McLaren as well as the BAR-Honda of highly-rated Jenson Button. Felipe Massa put in a similarly impressive performance, but had to settle for 9th place, just outside of the points.
Fisichella talks about his race. "It has been better and better since the first race and already in Imola I was very close to scoring a championship point, although I had to start from 18th position. In Barcelona I had a very good qualifying and race, which resulted in scoring two points." How competive did he find his Sauber to be in race conditions? "The car has a very good balance, and the Bridgestone tyres are very consistent over a long stint. We have to concentrate on our qualifying now, but to finish ahead of McLaren-Mercedes and close to BMW-Williams in Barcelona was a great feeling."
Rampf agrees with the boost it gave to the team. "This classification gives all of us a great deal of satisfaction, as it has become very difficult to score Championship points. So, each point is literally worth its weight in gold."
In Spain, the team made steps forward both in car performance and race strategy. Was there one thing that made all the difference? "I really wouldn´t want to single out anything in particular," said Rampf. "For one, in terms of the car´s performance, we already took a major step forward at Imola, and for the other, at Barcelona, our two-stop strategy worked out perfectly as well. The consistent performance of the Bridgestone tyres helped, too. And, last but not least, both of our drivers did a super job. Their performance throughout the race was both aggressive and consistent."
More noteworthy is this positive result came at a track that Sauber traditionally does not regard as a good fit for their racer. Why were they able to do so well there then? Rampf explained, "There are several factors involved in this. For one, the interaction between our two new drivers and the race engineers is getting more and more efficient and, for the other, Bridgestone have made major strides as well. The biggest advance, by a long shot, though, we´ve achieved in the field of aerodynamics. Before the race at Imola, we were able to clearly improve downforce and aerodynamic efficiency, and for Barcelona we achieved another small improvement."
Sauber will now look to build on this momentum as the season continues.