Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsSauber

Ericsson looking for points in Sochi

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Following a disappointing round of races in Asia which resulted in a double DNF in Singapore and Japan, Marcus Ericsson will be looking to turn his fortunes around in Sochi and collect points.

It will be the Swedish driver's second trip to Russia where he raced last year with the now extinct Caterham outfit.

"Last season the Russian Grand Prix was my last race both with Caterham and for the year," Ericsson said.

"Qualifying wasn’t so bad, and then I also had a decent race. So I have good memories of this track. Hopefully the second Russian race will be a positive weekend for me with the Sauber C34-Ferrari."

Contrary to last year when teams were handed medium and soft tyres by Pirelli, drivers will be racing on Sochi's smooth and relatively low tyre-wear surface with soft and super-soft compounds, which suggests that set-ups and strategies will also need to be redefined.

Also, an upgrade package was delivered to Sauber's C34 in Singapore, although the team and its drivers have yet to reap the benefits of the technical improvement, something Marcus Ericsson will be expecting next weekend.

"We'll have to work hard to optimise our updates that we have brought to Singapore, and try to make them work even better. And, of course, our aim is to score points again.”

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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.