Wehrlein and Sauber ecstatic after points-scoring race

40

Sauber's Pascal Wehrlein brought the Swiss team its first world championship points of the year in Barcelona, thanks to a steady drive to P8 and a risky but productive one-stop strategy.

The German driver was understandably delighted with his performance, his best in Formula 1 and only his second top-ten finish.

Weherlein launched his race from P15 on the grid and drove remarkably well, moving up a few spots from 12th after ten laps when tyre rotations set in.

The emergence of a providential Virtual Safety Car period strengthened the Sauber driver's position when he switched from the soft to the medium compound with the ambition of making it last to the checkered flag. "I'm really happy about the race and how it went, we took a risky one-stop strategy but it worked out," Wehrlein said.

"I think the first stint was quite tough with the softs driving so long with the soft, and in the end it was really important to keep Sainz behind, which was obviously a lot quicker but you know then to keep him behind and build a gap to the guys behind him."

Video: Esteban Ocon gives F1i his Spanish GP summary

Wehrlein's advantageous position looked in jeopardy at one point however when he was handed a five-second penalty for a pitlane infringement.

Seventh on the road, he was ultimately awarded eighth in the final official results.

The Sauber driver had recieved a late call from his pitwall and had no choice but to dive for the pits, subsequently crossing the entry line on the wrong side of the bollard.

"I just got the call when I was already at the last corner, but I knew when they called me so late it's important to come in,” he continued.

"So I missed the bollard, but if I wouldn't stop on this lap everyone behind would have overtaken me, so this was the only chance to get some points as well. I knew that something was coming, I expected a penalty, probably I hoped for a penalty for the next race or something!

"But I'm also happy about the five seconds I think it's better than a drive through penalty."

Win the ULTIMATE TRACKDAY with F1i.com!

GALLERY: All the action from Barcelona on Saturday

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

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.