Swiss team pair Sutil and Gutierrez and eye 2014
improvement.
Sauber have become the sixth team to release images of
their new car for the 2014 season, the Ferrari-powered C33.
The Hinwil-based outfit, which finished seventh in last
year's Constructors' Championship, revealed their first challenger for F1's new
hybrid turbo era on their official website on Sunday.
By the team's own admission, 'Perhaps the most visually
striking element of the Sauber C33-Ferrari is the very low, snout-like nose.'
Sauber remain in partnership with long-time engine
suppliers Ferrari but there is a change on the driver front with veteran Force
India man Adrian Sutil replacing fellow German Nico Hulkenberg, the pair
effectively swapping seats from 2013.
"After six good years in the same team, it was time
for me to look for a new challenge. I'm determined to have a successful future
with the Sauber F1 Team and will do my bit to ensure that," said Sutil.
"In recent years the team has repeatedly demonstrated its potential, not
least in the second half of the last season. And as for infrastructure, the
Sauber F1 Team are a match for anybody. I can't wait to take on the
challenge!"
Mexican youngster Esteban Gutierrez is retained into a
second season while Sauber have also signed Caterham exile Giedo van der Garde
to the role of test and reserve driver.
"Last season I had a steep learning curve,"
commented Gutierrez, "but working together with the team, I was able to
make steady progress. This is my fourth year with the Swiss team, and the
second as a racing driver. Last year I learnt a great deal and I feel ready for
the next step. The 2014 season will be a huge challenge on the technical front,
which makes it all the more important to know the people you work with well. I
will do everything I can to improve further and to support the team with all
the resources I have."
After a fraught first half to 2013 amid financial
pressures and an underperforming car, Sauber proved one of the midfield form
teams from the summer break onwards and scored 50 points across the final nine
grands prix.
Like the majority of teams, Sauber will roll out their
car on the opening morning of the Jerez test on Tuesday as the first four-day
test of the winter commences in southern Spain.
However, the team have clarified that the 'roll-out
version' of the C33 'will be fully functional, but without a number of
performance parts, which will be introduced for the two tests in Bahrain.
"On the one hand this gives us time to maximise the
development of these performance relevant parts, and on the other hand we can
run the car during the first test and check all the systems, which we feel is
crucial, considering all the technical changes," explained Chief Designer
Eric Gandelin
Culled from Sky Sports
