Austrian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Sauber

Next quotes are from Sauber!

Esteban Gutierrez - "The track in Spielberg is new for me and for many other drivers as well. It is always interesting to have new tracks on the Formula One race calendar. Last year there were quite a few tracks on which I drove for the first time, and now with Spielberg there is another new one. It is a fast circuit, so I am going to enjoy it. It will be an interesting event as the Austrians like Formula One and are nice and cheerful people. I hope we can feel the passion and the support for the sport, so that it can be a successful event. I am looking forward to the race weekend."

Adrian Sutil - "I am looking forward to the Austrian Grand Prix. I have never been to Spielberg with Formula One. I know the track from previous racing series in my career, and I really like it. At that time I was participating in Formula Ford and Formula 3. Obviously, I hope for a positive result there. In Canada it was good to finish the race and to get the maximum out of the car. The team also did a great job with the strategy and the pit stops. I hope we can build on this and make steps forward in every area. I am keeping up my motivation, and I am looking forward to the weekend in Spielberg."

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.

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Quotes made by Drivers.

Canadian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Sauber

More quotes and these ones are from the Sauber F1 Team.

Esteban Gutierrez - "The track in Montreal requires a high top speed as well as good mechanical grip. The surface is quite slippery there, so the tyre compound will be important. The way the tyres warm up is especially significant, because we have to keep in mind that they have a lot of time to cool down on the long straights. The track itself is a combination of a street and permanent circuit. There is a lot of history behind the Canadian Grand Prix, and it is a traditional race. Overall, it is a nice event. We have to approach the race weekend with a positive mindset. The whole team is pushing very hard to improve our current situation."

Adrian Sutil - "I am looking forward to the Canadian Grand Prix. It is a nice track and I like racing there. Because of the many long straights, you can easily overtake. That's why the races there are mostly quite exciting. On the other hand there quite a few schicanes as well. That requires a relatively smooth car set-up, as you need to ride the kerbs. Generally the engine power and brake balance are important. The weather also comes into play, as in the last couple of years it has occassionally started to rain during the races. I hope this track suits us better than the ones before."

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.

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Quotes made by Drivers. 

Monaco GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Sauber

Next quotes are from the Sauber boys!

Adrian Sutil - "The Monaco Grand Prix is a very nice event every year. I really like the track. For us, the most important aspect will be that our car works well and we can achieve a good performance. My objective is to travel back home with some points in my pocket. Looking back, I have good memories from the races in Monte Carlo as I collected some points almost every year. Last year it was an exciting race for me which I finished in fifth position. It is always a special Grand Prix, and I am looking forward to it."

Esteban Gutierrez - 

"The street circuit in Monaco is a very special track and one of my favourites on the calendar. As the track has many slow speed corners, we need to have a stable car. Our focus will be to get things sorted out and to make sure we are on target. What I like the most in Monte Carlo is driving on the narrow track between the guardrails. It is very challenging as you don't have a lot of space, and for a perfect lap you get very close to the barriers. The closer you get, the more you are pushing to the limit, so using every centimetre of the track. It is very exciting and racing on the streets of Monte Carlo is always a different kind of feeling."

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.

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Quotes made by Drivers. 

Spanish GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Sauber

Next Quotes come from the Sauber F1 Team and there's also a quote from Giedo Van Der Garde, the current test and reserve for the team! He'll be driving in Free Practice #1 for the Spanish GP!

Adrian Sutil - "All of us drivers know the track in Barcelona quite well as everyone has tested there very often. The Circuit de Catalunya is a nice track with high aerodynamic demands on the car. There are some fast corners and only one long straight. The last sector is quite tight, therefore slower and not easy to drive. We have to find a compromise in terms of the car's aerodynamic set-up. With one setting the first and second sectors will be good, but the last sector will be a disadvantage, or vice versa. We will be travelling to Barcelona with some car updates, which I hope will help us to improve our performance. Obviously, I expect more than in the last races. After three retirements in a row, we need to finish this race. I am looking forward, and I think that our performance will be stronger than in the previous races."

Esteban Gutierrez - 

"The Spanish Grand Prix is the beginning of the European season, and where updates to the car will be introduced. For us it is an opportunity to improve our level of competitiveness. I have faith in my team, everyone is doing their best. We are positive and expect to make a step forward. Regarding the track, I really enjoy driving on the Circuit de Catalunya. In every category I have raced in, I have always enjoyed the atmosphere there. Last year was very positive for me because I did the fastest lap in the race. I am fully prepared to go for the maximum and to get the most out of the car."

Giedo Van Der Garde - "It is nice to come back to Europe and especially to Barcelona. The Circuit de Catalunya is a track that I like a lot. We will have some updates and our C33 will weigh less, so it will be interesting to see how the car behaves. I am positive, and I am keen to get back behind the wheel. After FP1 on Friday I will have a full day of testing on Tuesday, so I am looking forward to that."

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.

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Quotes made by Drivers.

Chinese GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Sauber

These quotes come from the drivers of the Sauber F1 Team! Good to hear Esteban is recovered and will be racing in China!

Adrian Sutil - "I am positive about the next race in China. The Shanghai International Circuit is interesting. It is not my favourite track, but I still like driving there. The layout is special in comparison to the other ones. It consists of some fast corners, which get tighter towards the end of the corner. Besides that, the track has a long straight which is the longest on the race calendar. On this track a good balance for the car and a lot of grip on the front axle is needed. I believe the layout should be a good fit for the C33. I am positive about the weekend. We have to look forward, and every future race will move us furthermore up to the front. Shanghai is an interesting city, which is very modern and growing all the time. The city has a lot to offer, such as restaurants and also some spectacular buildings. I would like to visit the Great Wall of China, but so far I have not had the time.

Esteban Gutierrez -"I have nice memories of Shanghai from last year. It was probably one of the best race starts in my Formula 1 career. I had a tough qualifying, but after the start and during the opening laps, I was able to overtake a lot of cars. Unfortunately, I couldn’t finish the race. Regarding the track, I really like it, especially the entry into Turn 1. Looking back to the last three races, my performance will help me to get the maximum out of the car, in both, qualifying and the race. With the updates on the car, I hope we can increase our level of competition so we can achieve better results. Talking about China, it is an interesting place to visit. I will travel to Shanghai early to adapt to the time difference and climate, and I will use this time to learn about the Chinese culture."

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.
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Quotes made by Drivers.

Adrian Sutil angry over Weight Restrictions

 (I do not own this photo. Photo Credit To: Rachf1.com)


     Current Sauber F1 Team driver, Adrian Sutil, has been very open about criticizing the current Formula 1 Weight Rescticitons.

     Sutil, who is among the other taller drivers has opened up about the dangerous aspects of having to lose weight at his height, for the benefit of the car going faster. The German driver, who drove for team Sahara Force India last year, has been quoted for saying that he is not driving with a water bottle in his car for this season. This is quite a dangerous task, as some drivers may lose up to 12 pounds during a race from constant sweating and need to be constantly re-hydrating.

        His team-mate, Esteban Gutierrez is also one of the taller drivers, along with Nico Hulkenberg and Jenson Button. All four of them undergo vigorous training routines and hardcore diets just to maintain a weight that's suitable for their car. The shorter drivers don't have as much of a problem, as they are naturally thinner for their height. Because of this, not many people/drivers want to call for a change in weight limits. 

         In the future, we could see the weight limit raised if drivers are becoming dizzy and/or passing out during the sessions. The bottom-line is that as it stand right now, the restrictions are dangerous and could cause serious harm to the drivers.


Article Written By: Amy Hawk.
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Bahrain GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Sauber

First preview quotes for the Bahrain GP come from the Sauber F1 Team's drivers!


Esteban Gutierrez - “Bahrain is a track which we all know pretty well from testing. We have good references from there, and it will be very interesting to come back and to see what our improvements are in comparison to the first two races. The Bahrain International Circuit has a special track characteristic. Based on what we learnt from the first two races, I think we can make another step in terms of drivability. We made improvements on the braking and I believe we can push these even further. Everyone in our team and Ferrari are doing their best to get things done properly. My favourite part of the track is the last one with the fast corners. The left-hander which goes uphill is very interesting. Besides that, it will be a nice feeling to race for the first time in Bahrain at night. I do believe the track in Bahrain will also help us to have more stable tyre temperatures as the weather will be good.”

Adrian Sutil - “This year Bahrain will host a night race, so it won’t be as hot, and the data collected during the pre-season tests will only be of limited significance, which makes it interesting. The tyres especially will behave differently, but we can go back to our data from the night race in Singapore. I am looking forward to the race weekend. Night races are always interesting and provide a great backdrop for the spectators. It is special to drive at night. I like the layout. The pit facilities are very modern with a lot of space. My favourite parts are the fast chicane in turns six and seven, as well as the fast section in the last sector. We have spent a lot of days testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, but driving there was always fun. I like being in Bahrain. It’s a small country, but it is interesting and has a lot of history.”

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.
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Quotes made by Drivers. 

Malaysian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Sauber

Second set of quotes comes from the drivers of the Sauber F1 Team!

Esteban Gutierrez - “The Sepang International Circuit is completely different in comparison to the track in Melbourne. It will be interesting to get a feeling for the car with such different track characteristics. It is a smooth track, and less bumpy. It can give us a better feeling when braking, which is where we were struggling quite a lot during the whole weekend in Melbourne. The track has several high speed corners where we will be able to evaluate our downforce and see what the balance of the car is like. Also, the set-up is quite different. It is a fact that we are not happy yet with our performance. We need to put our heads together, be united as a team and make progress in every little detail we can. We have a great team, and I am confident we can improve.”

Adrian Sutil - “Malaysia is one of the hottest races during the season, and, as a result, a challenge because of the high humidity. You have to be well prepared, as, especially at the end of the race, you notice the difference. Everyone should get through the race, but the drivers will be pushed to their limits. The track consists of many fast turns, long straights and a few hairpins, which make it quite an interesting one. I am curious to drive the car on this track where the aerodynamics play a huge role. This is important in order to get to know where we stand. If a car is good in Sepang, then it will be fast on other tracks as well. You need everything here - good aerodynamics, grip in the corners and high speed on the straights. The aerodynamic efficiency of the car is a key. Generally, my hope is that we improve from race to race. In Malaysia, the main objective is to get better and to make a step forward.”

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.
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Quotes made by Drivers.

Australian GP: Driver Preview Quotes - Sauber

These quotes are from the Sauber F1 team, who have switched out Hulkenberg for Adrian Sutil whilst Hulkenberg went back to Force India. 

Adrian Sutil - “Melbourne is always a great place for the first race of the season. I am looking forward to it. The city is beautiful and the track always good for a surprise. The weather plays a role there as well, as a bit of rain is likely. In addition, we have the new cars, which are still at a very early development stage. Everything is new. Driving in qualifying will be very different to the race, because the cars will have more power than in the race. Less downforce and more power will be a challenge for us drivers. Higher top speed and less grip on a street circuit like Melbourne will be exciting. Also the 100 kg of fuel will see nervous faces on the pit walls. We were able to gain experience regarding the fuel management during testing, but over a race distance everything has to come together flawlessly. It will be a lottery as to who will finish the race in front, and the excitement will be extremely high.”

Esteban Gutierrez - “It’s quite special to be back in Melbourne, as this is where I had my Formula One debut last year. Now we are returning to Albert Park, and it’s a new era for Formula One. This is an opportunity for everyone, and it’s my role to extract the most out of the tools I’m given by the team. It has been challenging to adapt to the new cars and rules, but now we come to the first race and everything has to settle down. The track is a bit bumpy, because it’s a street circuit, but I like the layout and enjoy driving there a lot. I like Australia, it’s a nice place, and I usually arrive a few days earlier to enjoy the city. The fans are also very enthusiastic every year - it’s a great event.”

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.
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Quotes made by drivers.

Sauber signs Adrian Sutil for 2014.

Early this morning I got alerted that Sauber had officially signed Adrian Sutil for the 2014 season, but no word on who he will be teaming up with. Sergey Sirotkin has yet to earn his super license, and I know there are quite a few other drivers who are currently without a seat including; Esteban Gutierrez, Max Chilton, Charles Pic, Giedo Van Der Garde, Paul Di Resta and some looking to return to F1 like: Heikki Kovalainen and Rubens Barichello.

Updates later.

Article Written By: Amy Hawk.
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