Belgium 2016 - GP Preview - Sauber Ferrari

After a two week summer break and factory shutdown, the Sauber F1 Team goes into the second part of the 2016 season with a new aero package. Another back to back race weekened is approaching on two traditional tracks: One is the longest, the other one is the fastest. Following the Belgian Grand Prix (28th August), which is a kind of roller coaster ride on the legendary Ardennes race track in Spa-Francorchamps, the Swiss Team heads straight to the Italian Grand Prix (4th September) on the “Autodromo Nazionale di Monza”. The track near Milan is known for the highest speed on any straights on the calendar. The weekend is always like a home grand prix for the Sauber F1 Team, as Monza is not far away from the Swiss border. The Italian Grand Prix will be the last round of the 2016 FIA Formula One World Championship in Europe.

Personnel news: The Sauber F1 Team is pleased to confirm the appointment of Xevi Pujolar as new Head of Track Engineering. The 43-year old Catalan started at the Sauber F1 Team headquarters in Hinwil after the summer break and will work in this capacity from the Singapore Grand Prix onwards. Pujolar has worked for several Formula 1 teams; previously he worked as Senior Race Engineer at Scuderia Toro Rosso. Paul Russell, who is in the role of Chief Race Engineer on an interim basis, will be back in his previous position as Head of Performance Integration.

Marcus Ericsson

“Looking back to last year’s Belgian and Italian Grands Prix, my memories are not too bad. I was able to score points by finishing both races in the top ten – in tenth and ninth. I remember we had a decent pace in both races last year, and I hope we can achieve similar results this time as well. In comparison to other circuits, the track at Spa is quite long with some interesting corners and passages – Eau Rouge, Blanchimont, Pouhon and so on. Engine power is the crucial factor – as it also is in Monza. On this circuit, which is the fastest on the calendar, we need to find a compromise with the downforce level giving us a high straight-line speed, but also finding the right set-up for a stable and fast car through the chicanes. There is always a thrilling atmosphere in the Autodromo, and the Italians are really passionate about motorsport.”

Felipe Nasr

“Spa-Francorchamps is the opener of the second part of the season – and my favourite circuit on the calendar. The track is unique, having a lot of high-speed corners and a great corner combination. As a driver you get a nice flow going – up and down – through these corner combinations. From the technical side, the combination of low downforce and traction is essential to be competitive. At Monza we also need to find an efficient balance for being fast on the straights and not losing too much time in the corners. The flow is really nice too, with Parabolica being my favorite corner. Monza is an historic and unique circuit for me. I know the circuit well from every series I have come through. It reminds me a lot of the time when I moved to Italy in 2009 as a young racing driver. Back then I lived very close to Monza.”