James Key: Sauber to use aero package for Spanish GP to keep finishing amongst points – Formula 1
Sauber’s technical director James Key has said that the team will use some aerodynamic updates for the Spanish Grand Prix of the 2011 Formula 1 season.
James explained that the upgrades also include a diffuser redesign which will completely change the aero capability of their 2011 car, C31.
James said, “We'll have a new, quite significant aero package on the car, which will be a completely new front wing, updates to the front and rear brake ducts, new bodywork, new devices around the floor leading edge and under the chassis, and we'll be testing
the new exhaust system again.”
He further added that the mechanical upgrades for the Turkish Grand Prix did pay off and if it works in Spain, Sauber’s position will improve in the constructors’ standings.
He said, “If it works well it should give us a good few tenths of a second improvement in lap time. Our goal is to continue our good race form.”
However, Sauber’s rookie driver Sergio Perez says that the Turkish Grand Prix was not a complete show of power by them and hopefully the Spanish GP will be a better race. He added that the qualifier speed of the car is to be addressed first and then the
race speed of the car should be looked into.
At the Australian Grand Prix, both Sauber cars of Perez and Kamui Kobayashi were able to finish amongst points but were disqualified due to a rear wing design issue. From there on, Sauber picked up their performance and are consistently scoring points.
The Ferrari powered Sauber are the leading team when it comes to the midfield teams like Toro Rosso and Force India. Currently placed sixth on the constructors’ table, Sauber have scored eight points in the four races of the season.
As the season is taking a mature phase, teams are bringing their trump cards into play to get maximum performance out of their cars. Sauber will be bringing their upgrades in the Spanish Grand Prix and will look to keep their midfield crown.
The fifth race of the season is scheduled to be held in Barcelona on May 22, 2011.
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