After making a highly competitive start to the 2012 season, Sauber’s team principal Peter Sauber firmly believes further podiums are a realistic prospect for the Hinwil-based Swiss outfit. Already in 2012 Sauber have surprised many in achieving two podium finishes, the most recent coming at the Canadian Grand Prix.
With the unpredictable nature of the 2012 season already making it exceedingly unique, with seven different winners out of the first seven races, Peter Sauber believes the C31 can be fast on virtually any kind of track.
“If we manage to exploit our full potential as a team, in other words get everything right from Friday morning to Sunday evening, a great deal is possible.” Explained Peter Sauber, “After seven races it is patently clear that the C31 can be fast on virtually any kind of track. Further podium places certainly seem a realistic prospect. The prerequisite of course is that our drivers go into the race from good grid positions.”
Sauber’s most recent podium finish came last time out at the Canadian Grand Prix, where Sergio Perez once again showed his worth to Sauber with a simply splendid drive from 15th on the grid. Peter Sauber agreed that the podium was a nice surprise, in a race which was relatively incident free.
“Of course it was a surprise that Sergio managed to advance from 15th on the grid to a third-placed finish in a perfectly normal race, without rain and without any safety-car periods.” Said Peter Sauber, “But basically we knew the Sauber C31 was far better than the results of the last few GPs might have suggested. Our performance in Barcelona and Monaco fell well short of our capability. We had the potential in both races to be right up in front, but things just didn’t fall into place.”
However, with the unpredictability not to everyones liking, some members of the paddock have expressed dislike at the ‘lottery’ style to the season. Peter Sauber fails to fall into this category, believing the changeable nature of the season is good for the sport.
“As far as I can see it’s just a handful of people in the paddock who can’t get used to not knowing by Friday who’s going to win on Sunday.” Continued Peter Sauber, “I think the fans see it in a completely different light. They’re delighted with the unpredictability, the sheer variety and the unbelievably close competition. I’ve been in Formula One for 20 years now and for me it’s never been better or more exciting. That’s partly down to Pirelli, who are supplying the tyres for this show.”
With Pirelli potentially set to introduce a fifth different compound into the mix next season, it seems the unpredictable nature of the racing is set to continue. Peter Sauber won’t be too bothered about that, as his team edges closer to victory. Both Sergio Perez and Kamui Kobayashi were victorious in GP2, and both are undoubtedly capable of victory in Formula 1.
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