Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsSauber

Sauber expects 'challenging weekend' at Silverstone

Marcus Ericsson says Sauber is likely to have a "challenging weekend" at the British Grand Prix.

After making an impressive start to the season, Sauber has struggled as the year has progressed and has scored just two points in the last six races to slip to seventh in the constructors' championship. Ericsson rates the Silverstone circuit as one of his favourite tracks but believes the British GP will be a difficult race for the team.

“The British Grand Prix is for me one of the highlights of the season," Ericsson said. "A historical track with some great corner combinations. Also the atmosphere there is unique, with loyal, dedicated and enthusiastic British Formula One fans.

"I love to drive there, Silverstone is one of my favorite tracks. I believe it will be a challenging weekend for us, but I am convinced that we will make the best of it.”

Team-mate Felipe Nasr agrees with Ericsson's feelings towards both the circuit and Sauber's hopes this weekend.

“Silverstone is a circuit which I enjoy driving on," Nasr said. "It is not only one of my favorite tracks, but for me also kind of a home race, because I have been living in England for five years now. Therefore, it is always nice to come back to where motorsport and its great fans are at home. The British Grand Prix will probably not be an easy weekend, as this high speed track requires a lot of downforce.”

Test and reserve driver Raffaele Marciello will drive for Sauber in FP1, taking over from Ericsson in what will be his third Friday appearance.

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.