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The first European Formula 1 race of the 2013 season will be held May 10-12 at Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona, and like most other teams Sauber will bring a series of updates.
Both Sauber drivers, Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Gutiérrez agree that, since winter testing in February and March, many things have changed. During the first four races, the C32 has been updated. For the fifth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship the team will bring further aero updates and a modified rear wing to the race.
“Although Barcelona is a track we know well from winter testing, the higher temperatures do change how the tires perform, so we have to adapt to that,” said Tom McCullough, Head of Track Engineering at Sauber.
“The first two sectors are biased towards higher speed corners, whereas the third sector is dominated by a technical sequence of lower speed corners, hence the set-up is always a compromise. The option tire will be the medium compound and for the prime Pirelli are re-introducing the 2012 hard compound for this event. We have some further aero updates, including a modified rear wing, and we will be evaluating these during Friday practice. Qualifying is particularly important here as overtaking can be difficult in the race. Our target for the race is to finish with both cars in the points,” the engineer added.
Both Sauber drivers, Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Gutiérrez agree that, since winter testing in February and March, many things have changed. During the first four races, the C32 has been updated. For the fifth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship the team will bring further aero updates and a modified rear wing to the race.
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| Esteban Gutiérrez. (Photo: Sauber F1 Team) |
“Although Barcelona is a track we know well from winter testing, the higher temperatures do change how the tires perform, so we have to adapt to that,” said Tom McCullough, Head of Track Engineering at Sauber.
“The first two sectors are biased towards higher speed corners, whereas the third sector is dominated by a technical sequence of lower speed corners, hence the set-up is always a compromise. The option tire will be the medium compound and for the prime Pirelli are re-introducing the 2012 hard compound for this event. We have some further aero updates, including a modified rear wing, and we will be evaluating these during Friday practice. Qualifying is particularly important here as overtaking can be difficult in the race. Our target for the race is to finish with both cars in the points,” the engineer added.
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| Nico Hulkenberg. (Photo: Sauber F1 Team) |