Sauber Speak Newsletter #002
Working hard
By Jamie Makin
February 3 2005
In just over four weeks the 2005 Formula One season will begin in Melbourne, Australia. Fans worldwide are itching for some action after a long winter. January has provided some respite, with the unveiling of new cars, drivers and sponsors.
For me, this is actually the most magical and exciting time of the year. It is the time when I can dream of the possibilities that lie ahead. The sleek SAUBER PETRONAS C24 excited me from the first time I laid eyes on it. How far will this car take the team up the grid? Can they leapfrog two top teams to repeat 2001's fourth place in the standings? Can they fight for podiums on a regular basis? Will this be the car that gives them their first pole? Their first win? The possibilities seem endless and I've let my imagination carry the team to some pretty high places.
Unfortunately, last week's test session poured some cold water on these fantasies. The C24, although reliable, failed to show a competitive pace against the McLarens and Ferraris that shared the test track with them. The team seemed to struggle with everything all week - the weather, the tyres, the suspension and the new aero parts. The press releases from the team confirmed that the slow times were indeed a result of the struggle to find pace with the new car.
Suddenly I found myself no longer dreaming about podiums and wins, but just hoping the team can do enough to stay ahead of the likes of Toyota and Red Bull. My hopes for miracles for the team usually aren't dispelled until the first race is already in the books. Could it be that this year's dreams are already shattered with a whole month to go before Melbourne?
I have to confess that for a few days it really felt a bit hopeless to me. But I'm rebounding from it already because as I write this I know the team at the Hinwil factory is working day and night to get these problems sorted out. A month is an eternity in Formula One and they can do a lot to turn things around in that time. New components are already being produced for the next test. There will be the usual stream of revised aerodynamic parts as the team tries to claw back the 30% or so downforce that was lost to the new rules. There will also be a revised suspension system to work more effectively with the Michelin tyres.
More importantly, SAUBER will run two cars for the entire three-day test at Jerez next week giving both drivers some much needed seat time and the engineers twice as much data to analyze. Rivals Ferrari, BAR, Renault, Williams, McLaren and Toyota will also be present at the test giving the team a more accurate measure of where they stand. Of those teams, only Ferrari and Red Bull have yet to unveil their 2005 cars.
The other highlight of this week came in the news that Williams BMW has signed former SAUBER driver Nick Heidfeld to partner Mark Webber for the 2005 season. Quick Nick has been one of my favorite drivers since I got into the sport in 2001 and I always dreamed he would get a chance at a top team. Now he has the opportunity and I hope he makes us all proud to have supported him through his early years.
I'm still seeking feedback from fans on the new C24 to use on the website. Are you excited about Sauber's prospects for the new year? Will the car be a true contender for race wins? Or is the team destined to stay in their midfield slump? Do you like the driver lineup? Or do you yearn for someone else to steer the C24?
You can send your comments to: feedback@sauberspeak.co.uk. Don't forget to tell us your name and where you're from.
It is my hope that this season will see more fans come to the site and start to get to know each other while we build a new community of SAUBER fans. As always, if you have any suggestions for features you would like to see on Sauber Speak, just let me know.
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