Sauber returns with new C29
Date published : 31 Jan 2010 - 14:15:44
The Sauber team has unveiled its new C29 chassis at Valencia prior to the start of testing tomorrow (Monday).The new car was revealed by drivers Kamui Kobayashi and Pedro de la Rosa this afternoon.It features the notably high and pointed nose design that looks set to become commonplace among the 2010 cars, a prominent 'shark fin' on the engine cover, and an intricate front wing with curved supports.The team is still officially named BMW Sauber and has decided not to switch back to the original Sauber name for now as this would require unanimous approval from the other teams and could jeopardise the TV money payments it will receive for BMW's 2009 results.It has secured a deal to use Ferrari engines from this year, however.The squad is now back under the control of founder Peter Sauber after BMW - which had taken over Sauber in 2005 to create its own factory operation - withdrew from Formula 1.The last few months have been very intense for us, Sauber admitted. First we had to battle to secure the survival of the team and then we focused on putting a strong set-up in place for the future."The technical preparation of the 2010 car has continued uninterrupted and according to plan since the spring of 2009, despite all the turmoil."Sauber revealed at the launch that the team's chassis budget is approximately 40 per cent of what it had under BMW ownership last year, but that its aim is to achieve similar results on-track.De la Rosa's Sauber deal marks his return to full-time racing after seven years as a McLaren reserve, and the team hopes the technical insight he gained at the Woking squad will prove valuable."We have a long tradition of bringing together an up-and-coming youngster and an experienced campaigner as a driver combination and it's an approach that has brought us a lot of success," Sauber explained."Pedro has been working at the highest level technically for many years and for a top team, and we can benefit as a team from this experience."De la Rosa said he was just delighted to be back in the field after so long away, his last races having come when he stepped in at McLaren following Juan Pablo Montoya's mid-season exit in 2006.At last I can feel like a proper racing driver again," he said."I've really missed the competition out on the track."At the same time, though, I've learned a lot technically and on the systems side, and now I want to bring that knowledge to the team.Sauber said he had signed Kobayashi after being stunned by the young Japanese driver's performances when he was called up by Toyota to substitute for the injured Timo Glock last year.Kobayashi finished a shock sixth in Abu Dhabi, and impressed the paddock with his aggressive racing spirit - even overtaking champion Jenson Button in the 2009 finale."Young Kamui also has a lot to offer us, and last year he impressed me particularly in Abu Dhabi," Sauber said.The former GP2 Asia champion is keen to live up to Sauber's faith in him.I'm very proud that Peter Sauber has shown so much faith in me and I'm determined not to disappoint him," said Kobayashi."My aim is that he will end up being proud of me as well.
