Sauber reveal C29 (Gallery)
Sauber have today launched thir 2010 challenger – the C29 at the Ricardo Tormo race track in Valencia.
“The last few months have been very intense for us,” says team boss and owner Peter Sauber. “First we had to battle to secure the survival of the team and then we focused on putting a strong set-up in place for the future. The technical preparation of the 2010 car has continued uninterrupted and according to plan since the spring of 2009, despite all the turmoil. We have a long tradition of bringing together an up-and-coming youngster and an experienced campaigner as a driver combination – and it’s an approach that has brought us a lot of success. Pedro has been working at the highest level technically for many years and for a top team, and we can benefit as a team from this experience. Young Kamui also has a lot to offer us, and last year he impressed me particularly in Abu Dhabi.”
For De la Rosa, a long-harboured hope has been realised: “At last I can feel like a proper racing driver again. I’ve really missed the competition out on the track. At the same time, though, I’ve learned a lot technically and on the systems side, and now I want to bring that knowledge to the team.”
Kobayashi can’t wait to tackle his first full season in Formula One: “I’m very proud that Peter Sauber has shown so much faith in me and I’m determined not to disappoint him. My aim is that he will end up being proud of me as well.”
BMW Sauber C29
Rampf explains: “The development of the BMW Sauber C29 has seen the team build on the experience gained last year and the improvement in performance over the final third of the season. However, the new regulations banning refuelling during the race and stipulating a reduced width for the front tyres have required significant changes to the car’s design.”
The increased length of the fuel tank means the car has grown longer overall. And because they are slimmer, the front tyres will be more heavily worked, requiring weight to be shifted further towards the rear of the car.
An eye-catching feature of the C29 is its highly intricate raised nose. Also very distinctive is an extremely long undercut at the transition from chassis into underbody. These and other aerodynamic measures also help to ensure optimum airflow to the double diffuser. Further changes were required to integrate the Ferrari engine and, in particular, the Ferrari gearbox.
Specification
Chassis: Carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension: Upper and lower wishbones (front and rear), inboard springs and dampers, actuated by pushrods (Sachs Race Engineering)
Brakes: Six-piston brake callipers (Brembo), carbon pads and discs (Brembo, Carbon Industries)
Transmission: Ferrari Seven-speed quick shift gearbox, carbon, longitudinally mounted, carbon-fibre clutch
Chassis electronics: MES
Steering wheel: BMW Sauber F1 Team
Tyres: Bridgestone Potenza
Wheels: OZ
Length: 4,940 mm
Width: 1,800 mm
Height: 1,000 mm
Track width, front: 1,495 mm
Track width, rear: 1,410 mm
Weight: 620 kg (including driver, tank empty)
Gallery
BMW Sauber sign de la Rosa
The 38-year-old Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa has been confirmed as driving for the BMW Sauber team in 2010, alongside rookie teammate Kamui Kobayashi. de la Rosa said:
“I always firmly believed I would be given another chance as a team driver. Since the number of test drives were radically reduced, this was what I was working towards.
“I’m really excited about the season with Peter Sauber’s team, which has been a solid fixture in Formula 1 ever since 1993.”
A veteran of 72 Grands Prix, de la Rosa’s first F1 stint was from 1999-2002, during which time he raced for the Arrows and Jaguar teams. From 2003 onwards, de la Rosa has driven for McLaren as a test driver, making 9 race appearances in the process.
In his F1 career so far, de la Rosa has collected 29 points, and just a single podium.
Button's McLaren debut set
McLaren debutant Jenson Button has revealed that he will be the last of the drivers to test the MP4-25.
Jenson Button will make his McLaren driving debut with the team at Valencia on the 3rd February, the last driver to drive the new McLaren in the three day tests.
Despite recent rumours of De La Rosa making a possible move to Sauber, he will be the first of three to test the new MP4-25, followed by Lewis on the second day and Jenson on the third.
Speaking at AUTOSPORT International, Jenson said:
“I am looking forward to it. It’s going to be the strangest day because it’s going to be one of the most important days in F1 in 2010, when we see where people stand, which cars are quick and which are competitive.”
De la Rosa for Sauber in 2010?
According to the Swiss daily newspaper Blick, Sauber will confirm Pedro de la Rosa to drive alongside Kamui Kobayashi in 2010 for the new team.
The newspaper said that an announcement will be made soon, barring “an earthquake in Hinwil.”
The 38-year-old Spaniard has had two previous stints in an F1 race seat from 99-02 with Arrows and Jaguar and from 05-06 at McLaren, before become a full time test driver for McLaren. In his 72 races, he collected 29 points with just 1 podium, and 0 wins.
Last week team owner Peter Sauber was quoted as saying that “an experienced man” with “new knowledge for the team” has been signed to partner Kobayashi in 2010 – a bill perfectly fitted by de la Rosa.
Christian Klien and Nick Heidfeld are other drivers in the running for the seat.
Kobayashi at Sauber in 2010?
It has been reported that Kamui Kobayashi will drive for Sauber in 2010 after an impressive showing at the the end of the season.
Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat alleges that a deal has been made but that no confirmation will be made until both race seats have been filled.
Kobayashi had hoped for a race with Toyota, but the Japanese manufacturer have pulled out of the sport.
Giancarlo Fisichella, Nick Heidfeld and Pedro de la Rosa are believed to be on Sauber’s shortlist, and Peter Sauber has already expressed a desire for a blend of youth and experience behind the wheel.
It is also rumoured that Belgian driver Bertand Baguette (what a name!) will get the test and reserve driver role in Sauber, if you believe comments made by his manager. Baguette drove for BMW Sauber during the last day of the youngsters’ test in Jerez.
Turun Sanomat has also reported Malaysian oil company Petronas will maintain it’s backing of the Swiss team.
Campos keen on De La Rosa
Campos are still holding talks with McLaren test driver Pedro de la Rosa over their remaining 2010 race seat.
The Spanish team have already signed Bruno Senna, and the team have confirmed they have not ruled out the possibility of the Spaniard being his team-mate, although a lack of Spanish sponsors has been cited as a potential stumbling block.
Team principal José Ramon Carabante said:
“There is a possibility that the seat which remains could be for a Spanish driver and, of course, it would be a dream for it to be Pedro de la Rosa – negotiations with Pedro have never stopped.
“If we are able to cover the budget, based on negotiations, the first option is to bring in Pedro.
“Being Spanish, we would be delighted to have him in our team, but it depends very much on sponsorship. As far as Spanish drivers go at the moment, de la Rosa is the only option
Other drivers in the frame are Campos GP2 drivers Pastor Maldonado and Vitaly Petrov.
Force India keeping options open.
Force India are obviously keeping their options for 2010 drivers open – no less than 6 drivers are in the running for the seats, including the drivers who ended last season with the team; Adrian Sutil and Vitantonio Liuzzi.
Giancarlo Fisichella who went to Ferrari last season to cover for the injured Felipe Massa will most likely stay at the Italian team as test driver next season with Massa and Fernando Alonso having the race seats, although Fisichella has not completely ruled himself out, saying:
“Why not? It is open. It could be Force India. There are a lot of teams without drivers so far.”
Another driver in the running is former Renault driver Nelson Piquet Jr. who was heavily involved in the ‘Crashgate’ scandal, although it seems his whistleblowing has not deterred Force India. Piquet said:
“I am close to Force India at the moment, but to me NASCAR is very interesting, so I don’t know yet what is going to happen. I don’t want to take a decision without knowing how things work here in the United States, so I came to be with the drivers and team owners.
“It is clear that the F1 cars are very much better technologically – the best in the world – but I find that if it is enjoyable, it doesn’t matter if I am racing in karts. The important thing is to compete.”
The other two drivers in the running are Pedro de la Rosa who was denied a drive at the new team Campos for the lack of Spanish sponsors that come with him, although he is still a possibility for the Force India drive.
The final driver rumoured to join the team sure is an interesting one – Scot Paul di Resta. Di Resta finished 3rd in this years prestigious DTM championship driving for the AMG Mercedes team, including one race win on home soil at Brands Hatch. Di Resta is set for a test at Jerez for the team in early December.
Spanish website claim that Senna and de la Rosa will drive for Campos in 2010
Spanish motorsport website motor21.com is reporting that Adrian Campos’ team Campos Grand Prix have decided on their two drivers for next season – Bruno Senna and Pedro de la Rosa, but the team are yet to make an official announcement.
