Sauber F1 Team driver Marcus Ericsson is looking forward to racing at the Belgian Grand Prix this weekend, after achieving a strong result and a point there in 2015, when he brought the car home in tenth place, a position that has appeared out of the Hinwil based team’s reach so far this year.
“Looking back to last year’s Belgian and Italian Grands Prix, my memories are not too bad. I was able to score points by finishing the race in the top ten.
“I remember we had a decent pace last year, and I hope we can achieve similar results this time as well.
The Swede is a fan of the circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, with its unique layout making for a challenging yet enjoyable drive, and is hoping to repeat last year’s solid performance on Sunday.
“In comparison to other circuits, the track at Spa is quite long with some interesting corners and passages – Eau Rouge, Blanchimont, Pouhon and so on. Engine power is the crucial factor.”
Team-mate Felipe Nasr, who also finished strongly in 2015 albeit just outside the points positions in eleventh place, is relishing the chance of getting out on track in Belgium, with the Spa circuit being his favourite of the venues visited across the season.
A good set up and balance in the car are essential for having a strong race at this Ardennes forest location, and the Brazilian is hoping he can make good use of the practice sessions to give him a fighting chance in Sunday’s race.
“Spa-Francorchamps is the opener of the second part of the season – and my favourite circuit on the calendar.
“The track is unique, having a lot of high-speed corners and a great corner combination. As a driver you get a nice flow going – up and down – through these corner combinations. From the technical side, the combination of low downforce and traction is essential to be competitive.”
Following their recent takeover by investment company Longbow Finance, the Sauber F1 team have finally received a cash boost that will allow them to bring updates this weekend, that they had been planning to introduce much sooner.
A new nose and front wing, as well as an updated rear wing will therefore be raced in Belgium, and the Hinwil based squad hope that this will allow their drivers to achieve those stronger results they have been craving.
