Vasseur sees Sauber on a 'good path' after big step forward

There's no denying Sauber's massive improvement in 2018 following two seasons in the doldrums, but team boss Fred Vasseur also knows that with progress come expectations and pressure.

Sauber was running on fumes when a salutary human and financial restructuring was initiated at Hinwil a year ago, changes that resulted in a new dawn for the Swiss outfit, with Vasseur at the helm.

After a laborious start in Melbourne, the team is now a solid midfield contender that has accumulated in twelve races one hundred and fifty percent more points than it had bagged in the last two seasons combined.

An increased technical collaboration with Ferrari coupled with the outstanding talent of the mercurial Charles Leclerc has put Sauber back on the right track, a state of affairs that delights Vasseur.

"Yes, I think we are on a good path," says the Frenchman.

"If you compare with the beginning of the season and the first part of the season - not only Melbourne - but I think we improved a lot, more than 1.5 percent compared to the front of the field. It’s a huge step forward for us now.

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"But I know perfectly that the more you move forward the more the steps are difficult.

"It’s good to have expectation because it’s the best way to put some pressure on the team, to put some pressure on the guys, on the drivers - and this is the key point for the team."

Speaking of drivers, Leclerc, who has been in the points five times this season and qualified in the top-10 three times in the last five races, echoes his boss' view on the team's huge step forward.

But the Monegasque also suggests Sauber's progress has looked impressive because of his own slow start to his maiden F1 campaign.

"I think we made it look bigger than it was, even though it's huge," said Leclerc.

"I think at the first race I was just not driving well, so obviously the performance was less good than it should have been because of me.

"Then from Baku until now the progress that we see is mostly because of the car, and because we progress with the car. So, this is definitely still a big step.

"We are now very close to Q3 in the last few grands prix, which is a very positive sign and it gives a lot of motivation to the whole team."

Before Formula 1 ushers in a complete new set of regulations in 2021, the sport will tweak a few aero rules for 2019 mainly centered around the car's front wing.

In Vasseur's book however, where there is change, there is opportunity.

"If all the other teams are continuing to push and develop it will be more and more difficult but we also know that the big gain for us will be more next year than this year," he said.

"Honestly, if we finish the championship eighth, ninth or seventh, it’s not a huge difference.

"There’s a huge change to the regulation next year, we have a great opportunity and we have to consider this as a real challenge."

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