Sauber’s Formula 1 team has unveiled its “aggressive” 2024 car during the launch of the Stake F1 Team era. The rebranding signifies the transition from Sauber’s Alfa Romeo years to its future as Audi’s works team in 2026. The Stake F1 Team C44, set to debut on Friday at a shakedown in Barcelona, boasts a striking new color scheme with fluro-green on a carbon base.
Technical director James Key describes the C44 as a “virtually a completely new car,” with only a few carry-over elements from its predecessor at the rear. Sauber has made significant changes to its suspension geometry, switching from a pushrod configuration to a pullrod setup at the front, while maintaining the pushrod design at the rear. This combination aligns with the approach taken by Red Bull and McLaren in 2023.
The car’s aerodynamic direction has also undergone notable changes. Key states that it is “a lot more extreme than last year,” following the path set by Red Bull. The sidepod of the C44 features a different shape and style of undercut, with a taller mid-section that creates a concave surface. These modifications give the car a distinct appearance compared to its predecessor.
Improving on the shortcomings of the 2023 Sauber is a priority for the team. Last year’s car had issues with drag and rear-end instability in faster corners. Additionally, the team acknowledges the need to enhance tire management, which was considered lacking in the previous season. Sauber aims to make progress in translating new designs into functional parts, as it seeks to compete more effectively in the midfield.
Investments in production and design departments, as well as upgrades to the wind tunnel and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) configuration, have been made to support the team’s development plan. Sauber is already working on “important updates” that will be introduced in the early stages of the season. The team’s aggressive approach to development reflects its determination to make significant strides in performance.
Valtteri Bottas, preparing for his third year at the team, has set “lofty” objectives for 2024. He acknowledges that the team did not meet their targets last season and emphasizes the need for improvement. Alessandro Alunni Bravi, a team representative, describes the next two seasons as a “big transformation process” before Sauber becomes Audi’s works F1 team. The team is investing in technical infrastructure improvements, hiring experienced race team personnel, and conducting a technical recruitment drive. Sauber has unveiled its ambitious 2024 Formula 1 car, generating excitement for the challenges ahead.
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