After a poor showing at the Bahrain Grand Prix in the last round of the 2016 Formula One season, the Sauber F1 team and driver Felipe Nasr are hoping the issues experienced by the Brazilian with the C35 have now been overcome, heading into the Chinese Grand Prix weekend:
“My first Formula One race weekend at the Shanghai International Circuit was quite positive last year. We improved the car during the whole weekend and, after a top ten qualifying, I finished the race in eighth.”
Looking back to the Bahrain Grand Prix about a week ago, I hope that the team was able to sort out the issues I had with the C35. The objective is clearly to be more competitive. I am looking forward to the Chinese Grand Prix as the track characteristics should suit our car.”
Team-mate Marcus Ericsson fared slightly better at the Sakhir circuit last time out, but after looking running in the point’s midway through the race, the Swede’s final stint was compromised as he was asked to save fuel in order to get home:
“The Chinese Grand Prix brings back good memories from last season. We had a strong race weekend there, finishing with both cars in the points. I put in a good performance with some nice battles on track. In the end I saw the chequered flag in P10.”
“For this year’s race weekend on the Shanghai International Circuit, I feel confident that we can build up our performance from Bahrain and make another step forward there.”
After a poor start to the year and rumours abound that the Hinwil based squad’s finances are in a delicate state, the Sauber F1 team really need to up their game if they are to survive and compete higher up the grid in 2016.
