Sauber F1 Team

History in F1

In 2011, the team finally changed its name from BMW Sauber to Sauber F1 Team, after BMW exited F1 racing in 2009. The BMW Sauber team entered the F1 racing scene in 2006, but Sauber itself has a long history in F1. Team Sauber was founded in the 1970s by Swiss national and racer, Peter Sauber as an independent racing team - he still is the team's principal. BMW bought the team in 2005 to enter F1 and sold the team back to Sauber in 2009.

Information

For all its history and Peter Sauber's background in race car engineering and design, the team does not have an impressive racing track record. Since its debut race in the 1993 South African Grand Prix, the team has completed 326 races to date, with only one victory (2008 Canadian Grand Prix), needless to say, the team has yet to win a Constructors' or Drivers' Championship titles. In 2011, Sauber came in 7th place, with 44 points and the best finish of 5th place by Kamui Kobayashi. The will contest the 2012 Season with the same drivers from 2011, Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez.

Technical Details & Statistics

Sauber has a long history with several engine makers, originally having started with a collaboration with Mercedes, then Ford, Ferrari and then BMW. In 2011, Sauber used the Ferrari 056 engine and C30 chassis and this remains unchanged for 2012. The team's chassis models all start with C, which stands for ‘Christine', Sauber's wife.

Base: Hinwil (Switzerland)
Team Principal: Peter Sauber
Main drivers: Kamui Kobayashi & Sergio Perez
Engine: Ferrari 056
Chassis: C31
Debut F1 Season: 1993
World Championship Titles: 0
Highest race finish: 1 (x1)
Pole Position: 1
Fastest lap times: 2

Drivers

Driver 1: Kamui Kobayashi

Japanese driver, Kamui Kobayashi's racing career includes Formula 3 and GP2. His F1 career started in 2007, when he joined Team Toyota as a reserve driver. However, he only started driving Grand Prix races in 2009, his first race being the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix. Kobayashi has so far not had a stellar career, but seems to be improving every season. His highest finish in 2011 was 5th at the Monaco Grand Prix, finishing the season in 12th place with 30 points.

Driver Statistics:

Nationality: Japan
Date of Birth: 13 September 1986
World Championship Titles: 0
Number of Grand Prix won: 0
Pole Positions: 0
Career Points: 55
Podiums: 0

Driver 2: Sergio Perez

The 2011 Season saw Sergio Perez's debut in the F1 racing at the Australian Grand Prix. For his first season, the Mexican driver had a solid season, with the highest finish of 7th at the British Grand Prix. Perez finished the season in 16th place with 14 Grand Prix points. For a young driver, Perez is consistent and confident. He is definitely a driver to watch.

Driver Statistics:

Nationality: Mexico
Date of Birth: 26 January 1990
World Championship Titles: 0
Number of Grand Prix won: 0
Pole Positions: 0
Career Points: 14
Podiums: 0