Sutil expects “a few seconds” better in Bahrain
After lukewarm tests in Jerez, the Sauber team, led by Adrian Sutil, expects significant progress for the next tests in Bahrain, starting on February 19.
Newcomer at Sauber, after spending six seasons with the Force India team based in Silverstone (initially under the name Spyker in 2007), Adrian Sutil (#99) reflected for *Autosport* on the winter testing held in Jerez. He first downplays the underperformance of the Sauber C33: “The test was more of a launch for us. We didn’t have all the parts for the car, so the specifications were very, very different from what they will be soon and in Bahrain.”
Bahrain, precisely, will be the venue for the second and third private test sessions and should allow competitors and engine manufacturers to better gauge themselves in warmer track conditions: « In Bahrain, we will be able to start the tests properly with better temperatures, more race-like conditions, and hopefully also with an entirely new package on the car. »
For the Sauber team, these tests will be crucial to assess the development work of the C33 powered by Ferrari: « I am looking forward to it, as these tests will be of great importance for the car and the entire team. For us, compared [to Jerez], it will be a huge step forward. » The German even hopes for a significant improvement in lap times: « I hope we can improve by a few seconds and in the right direction, but for now, that is an estimate. We have to see how fast we can progress. »
« Compared to where we are currently, it should just be better. The factory has found a lot of aerodynamic support and, once the parts are installed, everything should go well, » he concluded. The Bahrain tests, from February 19 to 22 and from February 27 to March 2, will be available live and in full on MotorsInside.
