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17th
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The Swiss Formula 1 team of Peter Sauber enjoyed a very good season in 2012 with its drivers climbing on the podium four times.
Under the guidance of the first female Team Principal, Monisha Kaltenborn, the team collected 126 points to rank 6th in the 2012 Constructor's Championship.
Powered by a Ferrari engine, the C31 car proved a competent, all-round package which was again very smooth with its tires. This characteristic allowed drivers Sergio Perez and Kamui Kobayashi to run longer stints than their rivals; a definite advantage when they were forced to start some races down the field.
The C31 was a solid, reliable car that proved to be extremely fast in certain circumstances, like in Italy when Perez passed both Ferraris en route to second place just behind race winner Lewis Hamilton of McLaren.
Sergio Perez
10th in the Driver's Championship with 66 points
Best place in qualifications: 4th (once, Belgium)
Best race result: 2nd (once, Italy), 3 podiums
Retired 7 times
Kamui Kobayashi
12th in the Driver's Championship with 60 points
Best place in qualifications: 2nd (once, Belgium)
Best race result: 3rd (once, Japan), 1 podium
Retired 3 times
The first half of the season proved to be one of highs and lows for Perez. Podium finishes in Malaysia and Canada contrast with low-key results elsewhere, as car and driver searched for consistency. Then, the only high note was a podium finish in Italy behind Hamilton.
The Mexican retired seven times during the season, and scored only three points in the last seven races. Perez's performances mysterisouly slumped a little following the announcement of his McLaren move for 2013. Was he too distacted?
In contrast, his teammate Kamui Kobayashi had a much more consistant season. The likeable Japanese scored points on nine occasions and only retired three times.
Unfortunately, his second-place start in Belgium was ruined at the beginning by the huge accident caused by Lotus' Romain Grosjean. Despite finishing the year just six points down from Perez, Kobayashi was forced to leave Sauber to make room for another wealthy Mexican, Esteban Gutierrez.
To prove it has progressed, the 2013 Sauber F1 car will need to win at least one Grand Prix.
Under the guidance of the first female Team Principal, Monisha Kaltenborn, the team collected 126 points to rank 6th in the 2012 Constructor's Championship.
Powered by a Ferrari engine, the C31 car proved a competent, all-round package which was again very smooth with its tires. This characteristic allowed drivers Sergio Perez and Kamui Kobayashi to run longer stints than their rivals; a definite advantage when they were forced to start some races down the field.
 |
| Photo: Sauber F1 Team |
The C31 was a solid, reliable car that proved to be extremely fast in certain circumstances, like in Italy when Perez passed both Ferraris en route to second place just behind race winner Lewis Hamilton of McLaren.
Sergio Perez
10th in the Driver's Championship with 66 points
Best place in qualifications: 4th (once, Belgium)
Best race result: 2nd (once, Italy), 3 podiums
Retired 7 times
Kamui Kobayashi
12th in the Driver's Championship with 60 points
Best place in qualifications: 2nd (once, Belgium)
Best race result: 3rd (once, Japan), 1 podium
Retired 3 times
The first half of the season proved to be one of highs and lows for Perez. Podium finishes in Malaysia and Canada contrast with low-key results elsewhere, as car and driver searched for consistency. Then, the only high note was a podium finish in Italy behind Hamilton.
The Mexican retired seven times during the season, and scored only three points in the last seven races. Perez's performances mysterisouly slumped a little following the announcement of his McLaren move for 2013. Was he too distacted?
 |
| Photo: Sauber F1 Team |
In contrast, his teammate Kamui Kobayashi had a much more consistant season. The likeable Japanese scored points on nine occasions and only retired three times.
Unfortunately, his second-place start in Belgium was ruined at the beginning by the huge accident caused by Lotus' Romain Grosjean. Despite finishing the year just six points down from Perez, Kobayashi was forced to leave Sauber to make room for another wealthy Mexican, Esteban Gutierrez.
To prove it has progressed, the 2013 Sauber F1 car will need to win at least one Grand Prix.