Sauber's relationship with Ferrari moved even closer today as the
Swiss team unveiled their 2004 challenger.
The new C23 uses exactly the same engine as Ferrari, as well as the
Scuderia's seven-speed gearbox.
The car bears an undeniable resemblance to Ferrari's F2003-GA,
while driver Felipe Massa has also been borrowed from the world
champions.
But it was the news that Ferrari had agreed to supply them with the
very same power units that the world champions' F2004 will use that
provided the biggest story of the day.
It is the first time in their eight-year association that Sauber
have enjoyed parity with Ferrari's own team.
The decision is likely to have been forced on Ferrari by this
year's change in engine regulations. Now powerplants must last the
whole grand prix weekend, with any driver who has to change being
dropped 10 places down the grid.
As usual, Sauber's engines will be rebadged Petronas and the
Malaysian company's engine boss Osamu Goto said: "We are using the
same model engine for the first time. Despite the new regulations,
there has been a weight reduction of the engine."
Another indication of the closeness between Sauber and Ferrari is
the fact that the world champions will even borrow both of the
Swiss team's drivers, Massa and Giancarlo Fisichella, for testing
duties in 2004.
Technical director Willy Rampf said the team had taken a pragmatic
approach with the design of the new car.
He said: "Owing to the fact that we will not be able to start
working in our new wind tunnel until after the roll-out of the C23,
this solution made sense to us more than any other."
The car features a more tightly-packed rear end than 2003's C22
while Sauber have abandoned their twin-keel monocoque in favour of
a more conventional front suspension layout.
Team boss Peter Sauber added: "Our goal for 2004 is to clearly
increase our performance. How well we¡¯ll be able to do this
primarily depends on how quickly we¡¯ll be able to translate the
results of our wind tunnel work to the race track.
"Certainly, the presence of seven automotive manufacturers has made
the competition in Formula 1 fiercer than ever, but we¡¯re ready to
accept this challenge."
Sauber have also unveiled two new sponsors, the port of Sokhna on
the Red Sea and Chinese life insurance company Tai Kang Life.
courtesy of www.itv-f1.com
