Sauber launch 2011 contender
by Jack Lamure on Jan 31st, 2011Sauber have taken the wraps of their 2011 car, with drivers Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez unveiling the C30 in Valencia ahead of this week's first pre-season test.
The Swiss team's car was largely sponsorless last year, but the addition of 2010 GP2 Series runner-up Perez has seen a host of companies from his native Mexico add their logos to the Ferrari-powered racer. Chief amongst these is Telmex whose owner, Carlos Slim, ranks as the world's richest man. Badger was also interested to see the addition of a Tequila sponsor, the team will no doubt be as popular as Red Bull for paddock parties this year...
Having spent 2010 adjusting to life as a privateer team after four years of BMW backing Sauber will be looking to take a step towards the front in 2011. In banzai-passer Kobayashi they certainly have a driver capable of producing excitement but can he, and this new car, take Sauber back to the halcyon days of 2001?
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Comments and Discussion
Like Ferrari, they've gone for an evolutionary approach, whether this is due to limited budget or there not being anything wrong with the old car is open to debate.
The wide-high nose looks to be a popular feature with the 2011 cars, which suggests the 2010 Sauber was a much better car than its early-season pace suggested.
I think the driver lineup is a risk this year, though i don't know how good Kobayashi is at encouraging specific development of a car, and i wouldn't expect a rookie to be able to do this. It could be they start high and slip backwards because of this. Into the clutches of Lotus (Grn)!
I'd like to see Sauber do well though, Peter's looking to retire and the best chance he has of that is if he can offer a team which is quick.
I was highly impressed with Kobayashi last year. He showed a lot of promise, and if he keeps it up, I've got no doubt that he'll be winning races.
I wish the best of luck for the team and the driver in 2011.