Sauber drivers banking on revamped C36 in Hungary

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Sauber will put into effect its new aero upgrade package in Hungary this weekend, with several new features hopefully boosting the its drivers' prospects.

The Swiss outfit has yet to secure a top-ten finish in 2017, in a season marked by under-performance and management changes at Hinwill.

Frederic Vasseur has followed Monisha Kaltenborn as team principal at Sauber, and Hungary will be the French manager's first race at the helm.

"After the back-to-back races at Spielberg and Silverstone, the Sauber F1 Team is heading out to Hungary for the final race before the annual F1 shutdown," read the team's preview.

"The team will be introducing the first part of its aerodynamic update, including new bodywork as well as a cooling system on both Sauber C36-Ferrari.

"It will then be complemented by a new floor after the F1 shutdown."

Wehrlein is 'open to offers' for 2018

Both Pascal Wehrlein and Marcus Ericsson are hoping the substantial modifications will lead to a step-up in performance.

"I am looking forward to the Hungarian GP, and in particular to the first part of our aerodynamic update which will be introduced there," says Wehrlein.

"It will be exciting to see how the adaptations will affect our performance. This will be our last race before the F1 shutdown – I will do my best to perform well and to finish the first half of the season on a positive note."

Ericsson echoes his team mate's hopes and is happy to return to a venue he knows well and which always attracts a large group of Swedish fans.

"Off to the last race before the F1 shutdown – the Hungaroring is a track that I have been to a lot in the past couple of years," says Ericsson.

"It is a very technical track with interesting corner combinations. I especially look forward to seeing my Swedish fans there, which motivates me even more to perform well.

"We will also have new parts on the car, and it will be interesting to see the first insights of this aerodynamic update. Hopefully, it will bring us forward so that we can fight our way into the midfield."

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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.