Monisha Kaltenborn Tag

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Sauber has confirmed that it will continue its run in Formula 1 with Ferrari as their engine supplier following a multi-year deal that was announced Friday morning. The announcement comes a day after the Hinwil-based canceled plans to start 2018 with Honda as its power supplier, which was set up by former team principal Monisha Kaltenborn. However, her departure in June brought in former Renault boss Frédéric Vasseur as her replacement and thus the team has elected to further their commitment with Ferrari. “I am veryRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Honda and Sauber have mutually agreed to put an end to a potential deal that would have seen the Japanese manufacturer supply the longtime Formula 1 team with engines in 2018. The interest for a new engine supplier came from Sauber’s former team principal, Monisha Kaltenborn, and was being discussed with Honda motorsport’s general manager, Masashi Yamamoto. However, Kaltenborn’s departure in June prior to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix put the situation in flux until the Hinwill-based squad put their faith in replacement and former Renault teamRead More

By Adam Tate, Associate Editor Sauber and Honda have finally confirmed the longstanding rumor that the Swiss team will switch from Ferrari power units to Honda for 2018. It appears the team will also use McLaren gearboxes which is the surest sign yet that McLaren will also stick by Honda instead of jumping ship back to Mercedes as some had speculated. Sauber CEO Monisha Kaltenborn gave the following statement about the deal. “It is a great honor for the Sauber F1 Team to be able to work together with Honda inRead More

By Adam Tate, Associate Editor Pascal Wehrlein will return to action for Sauber in this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix. The team announced his long awaited return via social media today, just three days before Free Practice 1 on Friday. Wehrlein infamously sat out the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix due to his less than optimal fitness after the injury he sustained from his Race of Champions crash in January. Taking his place back in the team relegates reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi back to the sidelines after a spectacular debut in Australia, but anRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Pascal Wehrlein has been ruled out for the remainder of the weekend for the Australian Grand Prix following concerns in Friday’s two practice sessions. The 22-year-old German was injured in a crash during the Race of Champions event in Miami in January, which forced him to miss part of preseason testing in Barcelona. The 2015 DTM champion, Wehrlein took himself out of the car for the remainder of the weekend due to concerns over his fitness level. “My fitness level is not as it should beRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief The Sauber F1 Team will be hoping for a return to form in its 25th anniversary season competing in Formula 1, with the debut of the C36 as its challenger. With Manor now gone from the sport, many look to the Switzerland-based outfit as the cellar dwellers for 2017. Although the team is burdened with an older Ferrari power unit, the characteristics of the car matched with reliability from preseason testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya give reason to hope. Drivers                                                                                    No. 9 Marcus Ericcson (Sweden) No.Read More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Sauber F1 Team celebrates their 25 years in Formula 1 with an all-new livery on the C36 chassis – their 2017 challenger. Although he only just joined the Hinwill-based squad in January, new technical director Jorg Zander  pushed its development after replacing Mark Smith, whom began the car’s design but left in March last season. Powered by a year-old Ferrari engine which is likely to hamper its full potential, Zander put a bigger focus on the aerodynamics. “We put greater emphasis on aerodynamic stability as opposedRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Sauber has announced that Pascal Wehrlein is set to drive alongside Marcus Ericcson for the 2017 Formula 1 season. Wehrlein is part of Mercedes junior program and had been one of the names in the mix for the seat at the Mercedes factory team that was recently vacated by recently-retired reigning world champion Nico Rosberg. However, the team opted to negotiate a deal with Williams to bring on Valtteri Bottas on a one-year flyer. The 22-year-old German marks the completion of every team on the gridRead More

By Adam Tate, Managing Editor The 2016 Formula One season is finally underway, down under in Albert Park. Despite the soggy start, the excitement of fans world wide cannot be dampened. Before the drivers lay down their cards for qualifying a few hours from now, I will make five bold predictions on some of the more exciting stories of the season. Without further ado…. 5. All teams will score points Gone are the days when a lovable back marker like Minardi could only pray for points. Gone are the days whenRead More

Sauber played its hand in the 2016 driver market today by announcing contract extensions with both Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr. This comes after intense speculation over Nasr’s 2016 seat. The Brazilian had been rumored for a ride at Williams to replace the seemingly Ferrari bound Valtteri Bottas. It also seeks to bring much needed stability to Sauber after several seasons where they had a revolving door of drivers coming and going – culminating in the controversial lawsuit brought to the team by former driver Geido Van der Garde earlierRead More