Team needed fresh drivers – Sauber

Date published : 31 Jan 2010 - 16:34:39

Peter Sauber says a desire to give the team a fresh start was behind his decision to recruit Pedro de la Rosa and Kamui Kobayashi rather than retaining Nick Heidfeld.Heidfeld drove for Sauber from 2001 to 2003, then returned for its whole stint under BMW ownership.But he is currently without a drive for 2010, and Sauber is heading into its new independent era with ex-McLaren reserve de la Rosa and former Toyota protege Kobayashi in its cockpits."First I had and I have a very nice and open relationship with Nick," said Sauber."But for me it was important to make a new start with the team. "Nick worked over seven years together with us and for me it was important to change on the driver side."Overall [Heidfeld's time with Sauber] was okay, but I think it was good for the team to have a new start and fresh air."Sauber said that de la Rosa's experience of working with McLaren was one of the main reasons behind his signing.The Spaniard has been a test and reserve driver for McLaren since 2003."For sure the decision was not easy because he has not a lot of driving experience in the last couple of years," Sauber admitted."But he worked together with an excellent team maybe the best team, I don't know especially on the technical side, and he will bring a lot of experience to our team."That's the main reason. And I have a good feeling about his speed."Technical chief Willy Rampf added that Kobayashi's spectacular Formula 1 debut with Toyota in the final races of 2009 had impressed him greatly."He had a very strong race in Abu Dhabi, you have to say he had a very heavy car and managed it well," said Rampf."I think he is quite talented as a driver and overall very quick."