Sauber’s Technical Director, James Key, has revealed that the team has taken on bold and thrilling approaches with their 2024 Formula 1 car in their quest to climb up the rankings. After benefiting from the regulation reset in 2022 and achieving a competitive midfield position, Sauber suffered a setback last season, finishing in ninth place in the Constructors’ standings. The team attributed their decline to limitations discovered in their previous car concept, resulting in a mere 16 points in their final year with Alfa Romeo.
James Key, who previously served as the Technical Director for McLaren and worked with Sauber from 2010 to 2012, has been overseeing the team’s revamped design philosophy for the C44. Since joining in September, Key has confirmed that the latest iteration of Sauber’s machine has minimal components carried over from its problematic predecessor. While the team focused on renovating the rear end of their previous car, Key emphasized their significant efforts in overhauling the front suspension during the winter.
“The car is essentially brand new, with a few remaining elements at the rear,” Key stated ahead of the launch of the 2024 car, which will compete under the name ‘Stake F1 Team’. “The team had already embarked on an ambitious path before my arrival. There have been numerous mechanical changes, some of which may not be immediately visible, but others will be quite noticeable. The front suspension is entirely new, which posed a challenging and ambitious project for a team of our size. Additionally, there have been various aerodynamic modifications, as expected since this area remains the primary focus of development. Overall, the car will have a significantly different appearance compared to last year’s model. We have taken numerous new and exciting approaches, all of which hold great potential. We are eagerly anticipating their performance on the track.”
Although he suspects there is still potential for growth in this set of rules, Key is cautious that certain teams may begin to think creatively with technical innovations.
When asked to elaborate on the modifications made to their 2024 vehicle, Key added: “Since 2022, when these regulations were implemented, the cars have progressed rapidly, and there are numerous areas of the car with great potential.
“While these trends will likely continue into the third year, there may be individuals who deviate from the norm, and we need to be mindful of that.
“Some of these areas have shown significant progress over the past couple of years, and I am confident they will do the same this year.
“For instance, the front suspension on our new car is very different, as we have switched to a pull-rod front suspension, a choice driven by aerodynamics rather than mechanical factors. It is a crucial project to create something that functions as intended.”
With the underside of the floors generating up to 60% of the downforce on the current ground effect cars, Key has disclosed how the team has embraced a revamped solution in that specific area for this year.
“Naturally, aerodynamics is paramount, so many of the visible components are designed to enhance downforce efficiency: the bodywork is a major battleground in these cars, even more so than in the previous generation,” he stated.
“We can observe emerging trends in that area, and the direction we have taken is much more extreme compared to last year. It is a new direction for the team as well, but it aligns more closely with the apparent trends, and it could be a step forward. I am certain that some of our competitors have implemented similar strategies, which will be interesting to see.
“Of course, underneath the car, the floor plays a crucial role in generating the majority of the downforce: we have adopted a different approach, a fresh concept, in that area, and it seems to be a highly effective solution at the moment. All of these changes are new, and there is much more beneath the surface.”
