Belgian Grand Prix, a Sauber preview

With the summer break now officially over, it’s time for Formula One and the Sauber F1 Team to go back to the legendary Ardennes race track in Spa-Francorchamps. Both Sauber drivers’ are looking forward to it, and we have learned there will be a new engine spec and wings specific to the track.

Circuit: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps / 7.004 km
Race distance: 44 laps / 308.052 km
Schedule: Qualifying 14:00 hrs local time (08:00 hrs Eastern / 05:00 hrs Pacific), Race 14:00 hrs local time (08:00 hrs Eastern / 05:00 hrs Pacific)

Giampaolo Dall’Ara, Head of Track Engineering:
“The Belgian Grand Prix can be considered the opener of the second part of the season, in which the Sauber F1 team is looking forward to stronger performances thanks to a number of upgrades that will be progressively introduced. At Spa both C34 will be fitted with more powerful Ferrari power units and track specific wings. The track is an all-round favorite and demands high-speed cornering performance and straight-line speed, hence aerodynamic efficiency and power output. Traction and braking, although, as usual, important, are second to stability and reactiveness, therefore rather specific set-ups are being worked out. As for the tyre compounds, medium and soft are expected to fit the event well.”

Marcus Ericsson (car number 9):
“I am really looking forward to driving at Spa-Francorchamps in general and Eau Rouge, Blanchimont and Pouhon in particular. This traditional grand prix weekend at this historic track is purely about racing, and the fans are really into our sport and passionate about it. The atmosphere is great there. In comparison to other circuits, the track is quite long with some interesting corners and long straights. Engine power is the crucial factor, which fits well with our engine update. It’s one of those tracks which is like an adventure, it goes up and downhill. Always an important aspect of Spa is the weather. You never know what is going to happen, one part of the track can be wet and the other can be dry. This is also what makes Spa so special.”

Felipe Nasr (car number 12):
“Spa is my favorite 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 through these corner combinations. It is a track on which you need a stable car in the high-speed corners. I would say the combination of low downforce and traction is essential to be competitive. Going through Eau Rouge flat out will be tricky and, for sure, a challenge. It will be my first time driving this circuit in a Formula One car. We do have our engine update there, but, as we haven’t run it yet, we don’t know what it is going to be like. We are all looking forward to it and hope this will be a benefit for us.”