Felipe Nasr admitted he was "surprised" that Sauber did not opt to alter his strategy, as he trailed team-mate Marcus Ericsson at the Spanish Grand Prix. Nasr moved ahead of Ericsson at the start but was on a two-stop strategy, while the Swede was placed onto a three-stopper. Ericsson passed Nasr during the final stint and went on to finish 12th, three places clear of Nasr, who moved up to 14th post-race when Renault's Kevin Magnussen was handed a time penalty. "It was a difficult […]

Felipe Nasr is hopeful that Sauber can make gains as it prepares to run the engine upgrades which were first used by Ferrari in Russia. Sauber has struggled so far in 2016 and has yet to score a point, amid off-track financial struggles. This weekend's Spanish Grand Prix is typically a race where teams bring upgrade packages but Sauber only has the engine tweaks made by supplier Ferrari. "It’s a tough time for everyone, all we can do is be positive, use all the tools […]

Sauber has confirmed that it will not be present for Formula 1's post-race test session following the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Formula 1 has arranged four days of in-season testing this year, with running to take place on the Tuesday and Wednesday after races at Barcelona and Silverstone. Formula 1 teams are obliged to run young drivers for two days of action and Sauber has cited this, along with a lack of updates, as its reasoning for skipping the test. "We […]

Sauber drivers Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr were left satisfied despite extending the squad's point-less run at the Russian Grand Prix. Ericsson started from the back of the grid but recovered to finish in 14th position, while Nasr was 16th, after being compromised by a slow puncture and a time penalty for abusing track limits. "It’s been a decent race for me," said Ericsson. "I had a difficult weekend as I have been struggling a lot to get the tyres to work on this special […]

Sauber driver Felipe Nasr reckons he has made a step forwards after sampling a new chassis during practice for the Russian Grand Prix. Nasr was unable to match team-mate Marcus Ericsson across the opening three Grands Prix and requested that Sauber bring a new chassis to Russia, a demand which the team met. Nasr finished 14th in the opening session, with Ericsson in 19th, while the Brazilian was 19th in the second session as Ericsson brought up the rear of the pack, 0.9s behind his […]

Felipe Nasr will receive a new chassis at this weekend's Russian Grand Prix after the youngster's complaints across the opening three rounds of the season. Nasr has so far trailed team-mate Marcus Ericsson in 2016, finishing 15th in Australia, 14th in Bahrain before slumping to 20th in China. Nasr has been uncomfortable with the handling of Sauber's C35, and requested the change for this weekend's race. "Yes I can confirm I do get a new chassis, although you have to remember an F1 car is […]

Felipe Nasr says he hopes Sauber can address the issues which have restricted his progress so far in the 2016 season. Nasr has struggled across the opening two rounds of the campaign and qualified in last position in Bahrain before racing to a low-key 14th place. "Looking back to the Bahrain Grand Prix about a week ago, I hope that the team was able to sort out the issues I had with the C35," he said. "The objective is clearly to be more competitive." Nasr […]

Sauber has confirmed that Technical Director Mark Smith has left the team on the eve of the new Formula 1 season. In a short statement, Sauber revealed that Smith has already departed the company and has returned to the UK for family reasons. "We would like to thank Mark for his efforts and we wish him all the best for his future," read the statement. Smith has spent several decades working for Formula 1, at Jordan, Renault, Red Bull, Force India and Caterham. Smith had […]

Marcus Ericsson is sat in his full race suit, his distinctive yellow and blue helmet perched on the table inside Sauber’s hospitality unit, which is little more than an awning attached to the side of a bus. Next door is Mercedes, which has brought along its full-scale three-storey behemoth of a hospitality unit to pre-season testing, emphasising the gulf in finance and status between the outfits. As little as four years ago, Sauber came within a handful of points of beating Mercedes. “The finance side […]

Sauber has become the final team to unveil its 2016 challenger after publishing pictures of its C35-Ferrari online. The Swiss team opted to use its C34-Ferrari during last week's opening test in Spain, ahead of the 2016 car making its debut at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on Tuesday. "We want to clearly improve," said team boss Monisha Kaltenborn. "Obviously, there’s a certain position we’d like to achieve. But, to start with, it’s important to become established in mid-field. Only then are we going to focus […]

GP3 racer Adderly Fong will drive Sauber's C34 during part of Tuesday's post-race Pirelli tyre test in Abu Dhabi. Fong, who has acted as a Lotus development driver this year, will share duties with Marcus Ericsson at the Yas Marina Circuit. Fong previously tested Formula 1 machinery during practice for last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, when he also ran for Sauber. "I am very pleased and thankful to have another opportunity to drive for Sauber," he said. "I will do my best to give […]

Felipe Nasr has been handed a three-place grid drop after impeding compatriot Felipe Massa during qualifying for the Brazilian Grand Prix. Nasr was driving slowly on the racing line on the approach to Juncao corner, while Massa was on a flying lap towards the end of Q1. Massa had to take to the run-off to avoid the Sauber driver, though both were able to progress through the session. Nasr originally qualified in 11th position but will now drop three spots, as well as having his […]