In the wake of their underwhelming performance during the pre-season testing in Bahrain, Sauber has made a remarkable turnaround in the early 2025 Formula 1 season. The key to this? Strategic modifications to their car, creating a machine that now presents a competitive edge, as demonstrated by Nico Hulkenberg’s impressive performance in Melbourne’s Friday practice.
At first glance, it’s the visual modifications that catch your eye. However, it’s what lies beneath the ‘hood’ that’s truly intriguing. Let’s delve into the nitty-gritty of these upgrades.
As any seasoned F1 enthusiast will tell you, the true magic of a race car lies in its front wing and how the rest of the machine adapts to its trailing edge flow structure. Sauber’s initial model used in the pre-season testing featured a trailing edge with a gurney flap. This design, marked by its ‘wavey’ pattern, has seen some significant changes in the subsequent versions.
The second iteration, seen on the last day of pre-season testing and early in Australia, presented a more regular trailing edge. This move towards uniformity was, however, short-lived, as the third version reintroduced the ‘wavey’ trailing edge. This time, though, the slot gap between the second and third element has also adopted a more ‘wavey’ character, which might be a strategic move to reduce the front wing workload in specific areas.
The third version also showcased another intriguing feature: the use of flo-viz paint to monitor airflow on the wing surface. The uniformity of this flow, particularly across the inner third of the wing span, is vital to the performance of the underfloor, especially when the steering lock comes into play.
Another significant addition to Sauber’s car is a small fin on the outer lower edge of the radiator inlet. This strategic placement helps manage airflow spillage around the radiator inlet and minimizes its impact on the sidepod undercut at high speed.
When James Key, the technical director, was asked about Sauber’s remarkable transformation, he emphasized the importance of optimizing the underfloor across both low and high ride heights. He acknowledged the challenges in replicating the ideal conditions, given the intricacies of the structures and the minute adjustments that could make a significant difference.
In his words, “These cars, the floors are so hard to push now that to replicate exactly what you’re going to get when you’re looking at structures beginning to let go a little bit at the very low ride heights, and then at the very high they tend to tail off – exactly where those peaks and the width of your aero maps is not a million miles off, but it always needs tuning, because you’re talking half a mil[limetre] here or there.”
The journey of Sauber’s car from the pre-season testing to now is a testament to the fact that in Formula 1, everything is indeed a compromise. But with the right modifications and strategic enhancements, even the most struggling team can make a competitive comeback.