F1: 3 reasons for Sauber's turnaround in 2018

One can be really critical of Sauber and say that they should have, given the circumstances they should have finished higher up the Formula 1 Constructors standings in 2018. Williams had a shambolic year and Toro Rosso was in the midst of being the guinea pig for Red Bull and Honda project of 2019 and beyond. They should be at least leaping McLaren who has stopped developing their car after the Spanish Grand Prix after finding out a fundamental gremlin that wasn’t in earlier wind tunnel tests. Finishing behind the Woking side (62 points) after having a Ferrari engine shouldn’t really pass the muster.

Additionally, they were outscored by Force India after coming out of administration, which is again demonstrating that they are just about in the midfield. If Haas with the same Ferrari engine can finish fifth, so should Sauber.

However, Sauber still did a stellar job to as compared to last year. The Swiss constructor broke even this year - with budget and income of $135 million each. With 48 points in their pouch, they were spending $2.8 million for every point, which in comparison to the grid is a good bang-for-buck figure. It is not to be forgotten that they finished 2017 dead last, with a wooden spoon and a terrible car. So how did Sauber claw back to the midfield? Here are 3 main reasons for it.

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#3 Team Principal

Frédéric Vasseur in a happy mood with Marcus Ericsson, Sauber's driver from 2015

Swiss-based investment firm Longbow Finance bought both Peter Sauber and Monisha Kaltenborn's shares in the company and were eased out. Longbow came in with fresh funds and a team principal. In late June 2017, it was confirmed from Sauber that the first ever female F1 boss – Monisha Kaltenborn would be stepping down from the team.

The team were struggling at the back end of the grid for too long and the split was mutual. She was replaced by former Renault team principal Frédéric Vasseur, who, in his first full season managed to marshall a remarkable upswing in performance.

#2 The Ferrari Engine

The Sauber had the advantage of the Ferrari engine in 2018

One of Frédéric Vasseur’s most important decisions on his appointment in 2017 was to scrap an impending deal with Honda for engines. He found a way to get current spec Ferrari ones for 2018 that made an immediate impact. Sauber also announced at the end of the 2017 season that they have signed a multi-year technical and commercial partnership contract with Alfa Romeo, therefore the team will be renamed to Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team going forward.

The Alfa Romeo funding and Ferrari powertrains set the ball rolling to develop a chassis and car that would finally stop getting lapped and compete regularly to get into Q3. Vasseur having started his career in the junior Formula-series had intimate knowledge of the technical and aerodynamic aspects. As the development pace sped up, further down the year, Sauber were regulars in the best of the rest fights in the midfield.

#3 The Drivers

Both drivers - Charles and Marcus, drove the best seasons of their careers in 2018

Yes, Sauber got the best engine on the grid, but they also lucked in with Formula 2 champion Charles Leclerc at the wheel as he was in the Ferrari junior driver program.

Marcus Ericsson made a huge step up too. Leclerc’s superb form after a shaky start nabbed 39 points. Leclerc had four 7th place finishes and finished the year very strongly. The Monaco driver really earned his promoted to Ferrari by driving beyond his years. Sauber in a straight swap is gaining the experience of the coolest Finn in Kimi Raikkonen. He along with relative newcomer Antonio Giovinazzi have the responsibility of doubling down on the progress made this year. That would be the team’s biggest challenge. Sauber should aim for a podium and not just holding on to eighth, because Williams and Toro Rosso will not be standing still. With Kimi, they have every chance.