Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsSauber

Sauber set for Spa updates

40

Sauber is set for some aerodynamic upgrades at the Belgian Grand Prix as it also receives the updated Ferrari power unit.

While Ferrari updated its power unit earlier this season, Sauber has waited to receive the enhanced engine until this weekend, introducing the update at the high-speed Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Head of track engineering Giampaolo Dall'Ara says there will also be some new aerodynamic parts, with new wings for both cars.

“The Belgian Grand Prix can be considered the opener of the second part of the season, in which the Sauber F1 team is looking forward to stronger performances thanks to a number of upgrades that will be progressively introduced," Dall'Ara said. "At Spa both C34 will be fitted with more powerful Ferrari power units and track specific wings.

"The track is an all-round favorite and demands high-speed cornering performance and straight-line speed, hence aerodynamic efficiency and power output. Traction and braking, although, as usual, important, are second to stability and reactiveness, therefore rather specific set-ups are being worked out."

Sauber attempted to introduce a new front wing in Bahrain earlier this season but did not get the expected performance. The team has a major aerodynamic update planned for the Singapore Grand Prix in September, with Felipe Nasr saying it will be crucial to help shape the future direction of its 2016 car.

Technical feature: Take a closer look around Lewis Hamilton's steering wheel

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

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.