Sauber C33 Unveiling

The third team to officially launch their 2014 challenger is Sauber, who unveiled their C33 this afternoon. The new machinery looks similar to its predecessor through the untrained eye, due to an almost identical livery being maintained by the team, but 2014 is a season of change. Sauber have adopted the same front wing design as McLaren and the same rear wing support pillar as Ferrari. The best looking car released so far? Sauber have a strong case...

The Sauber C33 features the same livery as its predecessor, but don't let that fool you...
(c) Sauber F1 Team

2013 Team Reviews: Sauber

2013 was a year of mixed emotions for Sauber. While the campaign failed to live up to the lofty heights of 2012, which produced no less than four podium appearances, 2013 eventually developed into a promising year for the team. The change in fortunes was fundamentally down to the change in tyre construction which took place prior to the summer break. Nico Hulkenberg immediately improved and Esteban Gutierrez soon followed suit. Sauber's season went from a dire start to an acceptable finish and they will hope to carry the momentum forward into 2014.

  

Sutil Signed By Sauber

Following Sergio Perez's conformation as a Force India driver yesterday, it seemed only a matter of time before Adrian Sutil would be announced as a Sauber driver. Today was the day, with the German making a straight swap of seat's with fellow countryman Nico Hulkenberg. Sutil's return to the sport at the start of last season sparked debate as to whether he deserved a second chance due to his sketchy history and after being significantly outscored by teammate Paul Di Resta this season, the question over his credentials remains.

Mid-Season Review: Esteban Gutierrez

The penultimate article in this summer break series sees the young Mexican, Esteban Gutierrez, thrust under the microscope. Sauber's hotly debated appointment of the twenty-two year old may have been of benefit to their financial restraints, yet Esteban has failed to demonstrate his potential in what has been a thoroughly disappointing start to his Formula One career. Here is my review of his season to date...

Sauber Secure Long Term Future

Following a financial crisis which has threatened to curtail Sauber's Formula One existence, the team have today announced that they have struck a partnership with Russian firms the Investment Corporation International Fund, the State Fund of Development of Northwest Russian Federation and the International Institute of Aviation Technologies to secure their future. However, in securing the deal, the team have agreed to give 17-year-old Sergey Sirotkin a seat for 2014. A deal which will undoubtedly support Sauber's bank account, perhaps to the detriment of their 2014 points total.
Sirotkin has been launched from obscurity into the spotlight overnight. The teenager has been competing in the Formula Renault 3.5 championship, alongside more notable names such as Kevin Magnussen and Antonio Felix Da Costa. The Russian will now be thrust into Sauber's young driver programme before taking a race seat in 2014.

Sauber's Financial Woes Revealed

Earlier in the week, I reported Sauber's current economic struggle. While the details regarding their financial issues were unclear, the full scale of Sauber's debt has now been revealed and it is far from pleasant reading for Sauber faithful. With the team requiring an estimated figure of £26.8 million in order to complete this season alone, they are in dire need of major investment. Money which Bernie Ecclestone will not supply, after the F1 Supremo declared that he will not bail out the Swiss team.
Undoubtedly, the team's struggles on track will not have aided their pitch to potential investors. With just seven points on the board, Sauber have slipped down the Formula One pecking order despite a 2012 campaign where they significantly exceeded all expectations.

Sauber Facing Financial Turmoil

Sauber are a team in turmoil at the moment. Despite Nico Hulkenberg's P10 in Germany, the team have reached the halfway point of their 2013 campaign with just seven points - stark contrast to their exceptional 2012 season. However, performance issues are not the only concern of Team Principal Monisa Kaltenborn, as financial turmoil threatens to curtail their Formula One existence. Investors are dearly needed, but Kaltenborn is confident that the team will find a solution soon.
These issues have been rumour for several weeks now, however, speculation reached fever-pitch during this weekend's German Grand Prix, after it was suggested that Nico Hulkenberg has not been paid. Regardless of whether this is true, Sauber certainly have a predicament which requires immediate attention.

Hulkenberg Waiting For Opportunity

Nico Hulkenberg has been a driver under the spotlight this season following his departure from an in-form Force India team at the end 2012, to join close rivals Sauber. After a turbulent start to the season at his new team, critics have been out in force, questioning the German's seemingly ill-fated decision. These views have been amplified by Force India's explosive start to 2013. However, Nico predicts a bright future ahead, if he can earn a seat at a top team.
Sauber were unable to consolidate their impressive form in 2012 so far this season, after the team decided to be radical in terms of aerodynamic performance on the C32. Decreased profile on the sidepods seems to be restricting downforce and the team have struggled to come to terms with the apparent issues regarding this major flaw.