Sauber C29 Launch

The Sauber C29 was the first of two cars to be launched at Valencia today (the second being the Jordan, sorry, Renault R30). Team Principal Peter Sauber, together with Willy Rampf (technical director), Pedro de la Rosa and Kamui Kobayashi were all present on the finish line to present the car to the media. Times have changed at the team still technically known as BMW Sauber - when the drivers appeared their overalls were enough to cause mild snow blindness with not a single sponsor in sight. The same was true of the car, with the exception of the obligatory nod to Bridgestone. Interestingly enough what colour there was on the car was the same blue and red that was introduced by BMW, although the engine in the back is now a prancing horse.

The team has made a number of sponsor announcements over the previous few weeks - Scalp-D, Pilatus, Certina, Thomann - so the lack of branding on the car is more likely down to the fact that they have yet to announce a lead sponsor than a lack altogether. A lead sponsor would no doubt have an influence on the overall colour scheme and therefore indirectly affect the positioning of other sponsor graphics.

Anyway, moving on we have two new drivers for the Sauber team this year. Kamui Kobayashi was snapped up by Peter Sauber, a man with a keen eye for a driver, after Toyota pulled the plug on their F1 operation. Kobayashi impressed last year when he completed two races for Toyota, and scored points, despite having not driven the car in anger at all - in stark contrast to the performance of Gene and Alguersuari. He is quick and confident, something that the team will like.

Pedro de la Rosa has successfully landed a full-time drive with the team having been a test driver with McLaren for some years. He was facing some stiff competition for the second race seat but his budget and experience swung the decision in his favour. Like all drivers not actually racing he won't have run an F1 car in anger for at least 12 months, so it will be interesting to see how he stacks up against the whippersnapper (Pedro is 38).

The team was immediately offered an engine by Ferrari when news of BMW's withdrawal broke, and with a prior record of supply to the team it is no surprise that they have taken that route rather than the other option of the unproven Cosworth. Inevitably the team has downsized but Peter Sauber ran a lean team that frequently over-performed on their available budget. Their stated aim for 2010 is to repeat last year's 6th position in the championship, and it will be interesting to see how they go on.

author: Phil Haigh     published: 31/01

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