Ericsson banking on 'big upgrade' to move Sauber forward

©WRI2

Sauber's Marcus Ericsson is hoping that a big aerodynamic upgrade set for introduction in Hungary will help improve the Swiss outfit's performance.

The Hinwill-based team has been stagnant lately, although Pascal Wehrlein did bag a point in Azerbaijan, bring Sauber's tally to five points so far this season.

But ineffective previous updates of the C36 chassis coupled with an older-spec Ferrari engine have seen Sauber's pace progressively regress, a state of affairs which Ericsson hopes will reverse next weekend.

"I don't know exactly what the upgrade will be [but] it should be a good step," he told Motorsport.com.

"Hungary is a track where any downforce we can get is going to help you and is not that efficient for engines.

"So it could be a chance for us, if we get another step from the upgrade, we could be in the mix."

Wehrlein is 'open to offers' for 2018

Ericsson considers Sauber's C36 as a good car, when the team succeeds in getting its set-up right.

"When we got the car working, like at Silverstone in the race, we could keep similar pace to the Haas cars, and [Stoffel] Vandoorne wasn't much faster," said the Swede.

"We are not too bad, when we get our car together.

"Hopefully in Hungary, where it's a bit less engine efficient, we can be a bit more efficient."

GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends

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.