SAUBER CHASES THE Y250 VORTEX
After a lack of upgrades on the Sauber C35 due to the team’s difficult financial situation, the evolutions have been coming in as of late. The nose and front wing were modified ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix, while the updates spotted in Japan targeted the parts that help channel the Y250 vortex, just like at Ferrari. The Hinwill-based outfit added vertical fins on the splitter (see yellow arrows), re-shaped the bargeboards (see blue and red arrows) and introduced an extra deflector on the bent edges of the floor (see green arrows).
Team principal Monisha Kaltenborn also confirmed that Sauber would race year-old Ferrari power units in 2017, with the Swiss team keen to carry on using an engine it is familiar with. That way, Sauber plans on extracting more aero performance out of its chassis.
One can surmise that financial considerations have come into play in the decision, though the team’s future has been secured since the injection of fresh investment over the summer.
Toro Rosso has been running year-old Ferrari engines this year, albeit for different reasons as Red Bull had fallen out with power supplier Renault in 2015. After a decent start to its 2016 campaign, the Faenza-based squad has been suffering from a lack of power since the summer break.
