Sauber launches C29 on Valencia pit straight

On the tarmac of the Ricardo Tormo circuit at Valencia on Sunday afternoon, Sauber revealed its car for the 2010 season. The C29 - with a notably sharp, high and wide front nose and a McLaren-style shark-fin engine cover - is liveried all in white ...

On the tarmac of the Ricardo Tormo circuit at Valencia on Sunday afternoon, Sauber revealed its car for the 2010 season.

The C29 - with a notably sharp, high and wide front nose and a McLaren-style shark-fin engine cover - is liveried all in white with black sidepods and currently no sponsors.

The drivers also wore all-white overalls in Spain.

The only wording on the car currently is the names of drivers Pedro de la Rosa and Kamui Kobayashi, who posed for photographs with team boss Peter Sauber as well as new managing director Monisha Kaltenborn.

Both drivers reportedly bring sponsors to the Hinwil based team, including the Japanese shampoo brand Scalp-D, courtesy of Kobayashi. The 23-year-old, who debuted late last year for Toyota, may also bring Panasonic, according to speculation.

Despite using Ferrari's engine and gearbox, Sauber is still officially called BMW Sauber F1 Team, and the BMW acronym also appeared on team clothing at Valencia on Sunday and even in tiny lettering on the C29's nose.

However, the familiar 'S' logo, last seen prior to Sauber's acquisition by the departed German carmaker BMW in 2005, was also on the team clothing.

"The development of the car has seen the team build on the experience gained last year and the improvement in performance over the final third of the season," said technical director Willy Rampf, also present in Spain.

"However, the new regulations banning refuelling during the race and stipulating a reduced width for the front tyres have required significant changes to the car's design," he added.