Sauber - Second-Rate Performace
by Julie Gates
The Team: Never promised to deliver a lot this year, and they have not. Pre-season chat by Jean Alesi talked down their chances, and reality has shown him right. The car's reliability has been awful, completing few race distances so far this year. Transmission failures are plaguing the team, and have counted for most of their retirements. Additionally, gearshift problems have often occurred over race weekends. They haven't qualified as well as many people expected, only making the top ten once. With Ferrari power behind them, one would presume they could deliver more than their average seventh row on the grid. However, when car set-up has been good, the drivers have performed as well as their car would allow.
Driver - Jean Alesi: Probably should have performed better than he has so far. He hasn't really shown us what we all know he is capable of delivering - and hankering after a Ferrari seat instead of making the most of his own is not helping. Strong performance when he finished sixth at Imola and qualified a brilliant fifth at Spain; on target for a points finish at Brazil before stalling in the pits and later retiring with gearbox problems, and similar woes putting him out of the points at Silverstone. Basically disappointing. Out-qualified by the Sauber new-boy at Australia, he should do much better.
Driver - Pedro Diniz: Seems to have settled in well with his new team and has been a challenged Jean Alesi. Pedro's been slated as a "pay driver", an image he is trying to throw off, but this is difficult in inferior machinery. He has not qualified exceptionally well, averaging thirteenth position, (close to Alesi). Finish two races (each for a point), mostly due to mechanical failures, though driver error at Brazil and Imola show he has work to do still. Pedro has the potential to be a good, solid racing driver. He generally handles the car in a reasonable manner and has faired well against Alesi.
What next: The team are working hard at improving their results, and credit is due: they have been testing tediously, working on electrical components, new transmission software and the aerodynamic package of their car. If they work hard and put it all to good use, there is no reason why they shouldn't see several points finishes this season. Silverstone could have been a turning point.
Conclusion: Terrible reliability from an established team who promised much more. However, they have the speed and foundations of making a solid race car, along with two drivers who are both willing and able. BAR is a new outfit, so what is Sauber's excuse? Hard work needed to unlock their full potential.
Rating: 5/10
Article is written by and copyright © 1999-2001 Julie Gates and The F1 Rumors Site
Julie Gates is happiest watching F1 and writing. Also interested in singing, cars, cinema, reading and going to concerts, she has little spare time to relax, but this is the way she likes it - rather being busy than idle as she can't stand still for five minutes! Totally committed to her career as a Formula One journalist, she is determined to succeed.
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