German GP: Sauber preview

Sauber Petronas German Grand Prix preview

Willy Rampf (Technical Director):

"Hockenheim used to be one of the fastest circuits on the calendar, and demanded the lowest level of downforce similar to Monza race track. That meant developing the aerodynamic package to maximise straightline speed."

"Now that the circuit has been heavily revised, it has no longer long straights and only one tight chicane. We will be optimising our package around the medium to high downforce configuration that Sauber Petronas would normally use at a track such as the A-1 Ring. We anticipate overtaking opportunities at the new hairpin that follows the curving back straight, and this will place a premium on braking stability going into the corner and traction coming out."

Nick Heidfeld (44 GPs, 6 World Championship points):

"I'm looking forward to driving on the renovated track, but I have to say that I liked the old Hockenheim circuit with its special character: The woods, the long straights where you could overtake relatively easily, even in a Formula One car, then going into the stadium, and trying to go quickly with small, low-drag wings when you normally would need high downforce. It was a good challenge and I liked it because it had its own characteristics."

Felipe Massa (12 GPs, 4 World Championship points):

"Hockenheim is a circuit with which I am not familiar, but since it has been changed so much I will be in the same position as everyone else. I'm looking forward to racing again so soon after the French Grand Prix, and will be hoping for a good result!"

-sauber-