What next for Sauber?

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by cds_uk

Hang on chunt, we are eight races into the season and that is the first time he has finished ahead of Ericsson, more to the point it was only the second time he out qualified him aswell, i think you might be getting a bit ahead of yourself there.

Is it really? Blimey! Just been an odd first few races for him. He fairly well thumped him last year. I like Ericcson too, and have never quite worked out why his stellar F3 form never became more consistent in GP2. Speed is there.

[steve_r]

I have never been convinced about Ericson in the past, but this season he seems to have the measure of his teammate. However, both came away from Monaco looking very stupid. Cant see a top team wanting either.

I really hope Sauber turn things around. They are looking more and more like a back row team, yet it was only 3 seasons ago that Hulkenburg was regularly in the top 10.

[BSchneiderFan]

We know the Ferrari power unit is decent, so it must be the chassis that's lacking. I guess that a shortage of funds is hobbling the design office in Hinwil.

[cds_uk]

Hopefully with the new wings and engine upgrades coming soon they will be on a par with the Haas boys at least.

[p-matt]

Originally Posted by peebee2

Depends if Nasr"s sponsors can get him in the STR in place of Kyvat

I'm still trying to make sense of this. Has Nasr to STR been rumoured anywhere? Wasn't he the man Marko felt to need to criticise in 2013 for not being able to win? Ironically, Gasly has a much longer winless streak than Nasr had!

[BSchneiderFan]

I think it's a shot in the dark. Nasr in place of Kvyat makes no sense.

[wnut]

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

I think it's a shot in the dark. Nasr in place of Kvyat makes no sense.

Preparatory to shovelling them both out the door?

[BSchneiderFan]

And now Sauber are to miss the post-Silverstone test. I hope the rumours of a shored-up financial situation are true. They need all the help they can get.

[chillibowl]

possibly some good news on the horizon...Kaltenborn suggesting that the team will soon be set to announce that new backers have been found.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report...ears-salvation

also hope its true!

[djinvicta]

She is a Lawyer chaps...truth can get slightly bent...

[Hawkwood]

Originally Posted by djinvicta

She is an F1 team boss chaps...truth can get slightly bent...

Fixed that for you

[BSchneiderFan]

Hope she's telling the truth. Otherwise I think it's the end for Sauber. Not to have scored a point this year (and being the only team in that situation) is dire.

[S griffin]

I don't know what will happen to Sauber, in their first stint in the sport the same team as now managed to stay in the sport, but this year the other teams have been a good bit more competitive than Sauber and I don't know how much longer they'll be in the sport with the current situation

I feel like the team is not a bad team, but I don't know when or if they are going to get the chance to fight for a good point or two. We have to see how well they go in the next few weeks

[BSchneiderFan]

I can't work out if the car is a dog or if the drivers are very average. We know the ICE is decent, so that's not the problem. The team's failure to attend the two in-season tests for lack of updates would suggest to me the problem lies with the chassis.

[cds_uk]

They haven't upgraded it since pre-season testing though, so no wonder they have gradually slipped back, new front and rear wings and floor ready to go on it but ........ well, we all know why don't we.

[BSchneiderFan]

Their lack of progress also leaves question marks over Ericsson and Nasr, I think. Are they any good and being hindered by the car, or just average?

[BSchneiderFan]

Or, worse, are they below par?

[djinvicta]

I think they are just driving a "dog" of a car

[cds_uk]

I rate Marcus very highly, always have, far more to him than just a pay driver in my opinion, as for Nasr, very steady driver more than capable of bringing home a few points when the situation arises, also more than capable of sulking and throwing his toys out of the pram aswell, look at the sulk over his chassis earlier this year when Marcus outqualified him for the first three grand prix.

[BSchneiderFan]

Do both Ericsson and Nasr bring cash? I assume the latter is tied up in the Banco do Brasil sponsorship.

[cds_uk]

Both bring a very substantial amount, pretty sure i read somewhere that it is upwards of £20 million between them.

[BSchneiderFan]

Still amazed that Sauber didn't auction off the seats for the in-season tests to generate a bit more cash. There must be well-heeled young drivers out there who would kill for the opportunity to get some F1 seat time. Or Ferrari could have run some of its Driver Academy.

[peebee2]

It is amazing that she couldn't find test drivers. Maybe the blatant dishonesty with vdG putting people off?

I hope she isn't making it up about finding investment... Nissany? Fong even?

[BSchneiderFan]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report...making-17-call

[chillibowl]

well the investor has a name, Longbow Finance SA. not much detail in the autosport article about the CEO and or other investment holdings they have but i imagine more will come out soon enough.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report...-new-ownership

the team name will remain but Peter Sauber will be retiring/leaving his board seat. both good and sad at the same time but overall seems like a new start for the team!