Sauber ready after repairs

After qualifying both cars in the top ten at the Australian Grand Prix, Sauber didn't get further than the first corner in the race which was a disappointing start to the season. Nick Heidfeld and Felipe Massa were involved in the incident that took out half the field and are looking to show their potential this weekend in Malaysia. The cost of repairing the damage to the cars after Australia was in the region of half a million Euros and it was a tough task for the team to have everything in order ready for the second race of the season.

Damaged Sauber.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

Team Principal Peter Sauber would like to have at least one of his drivers qualify in the top ten, hopefully both, to score some valuable points in the race. He commented that it had been difficult to sort things out in time but is confident the team are now ready.

"It was not very easy," he said, on repairing the cars. "This is still in the beginning of the season and there are not a lot of spare parts. We had to send some parts back to Hinwil and these are back here now. We are on time and well prepared. Our first goal is to have one driver in the top 10 at the end of the qualifying round on Saturday. If we have two drivers in the top 10, then we'll be expecting to score points in the race."

Sauber were impressive in winter testing and qualified ninth and tenth in Australia, rookie Massa being the faster of the two. The team are hoping to retain their fourth place in the Contructors' standings this season and many think they could be the 'dark horse' of the year -- but first they need to score some points.