SAUBER F1 History

By Jamie Makin
January 9 2005

SAUBER PETRONAS will enter their 13th season of Formula One competition in 2005. Since their point-scoring debut in 1993, SAUBER has proven themselves to be a consistent mid-field team who are currently the strongest independently owned team in Formula One.

Key Facts & Statistics:

F1 Debut:

1993 - South African GP (Kyalami)
JJ Lehto finished 5th to score the team points in their debut race
Karl Wendlinger retired halfway through the race with electrical problems

Engine Partners:

1993 thru 1994 - Mercedes/Ilmor
1995 thru 1996 - Ford (SAUBER was the official Ford factory team during this time)
1997 thru present - Petronas (rebadged Ferrari engines)

Tyre Partners:

1993 thru 1998 - Goodyear
1999 thru 2003 - Bridgestone
2004 - Michelin

Pole Positions:

None Yet

Race Wins:

None Yet

Podium Finishes:

Italian GP (Monza) 1995 - Heinz-Harald Frentzen, 3rd place
Monaco GP (Monte Carlo) 1996 - Johnny Herbert, 3rd place
Hungarian GP (Hungaroring) 1997 - Johnny Herbert, 3rd place
Belgian GP (Spa) 1998 - Jean Alesi, 3rd place
Brazilian GP (Interlagos) 2001 - Nick Heidfeld, 3rd place
United States GP (Indianapolis) 2003 - Heinz-Harald Frentzen, 3rd place

Best Race Finish (both drivers combined):

Monaco GP (Monte Carlo) 1996
Johnny Herbert, 3rd place
Heinz-Harald Frentzen, 4th place

Laps Lead:

United States Grand Prix (Indianapolis) 2003 - Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Lap 48
Brazilian Grand Prix (Sao Paulo) 2004 - Felipe Massa, Lap 6 & 7

Best Constructors Championship Finish:

2001 - 4th place with 21 points
Drivers - Nick Heidfeld and Kimi Raikkonen

Best Drivers Championship Finish:

Nick Heidfeld 2001 - 8th place with 12 points

Most Successful Sauber Driver:

Heinz-Harald Frentzen - 48 points in 65 races spanning 5 seasons