Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise
Having wedded itself to a future with Audi in the hope of recapturing the success of its BMW dalliance, Sauber has a habit of forging strong ties with German car giants. But its first in F1 with Mercedes three decades ago perhaps should have yielded much more
Thirty years ago today, the Sauber team made its grand prix debut in South Africa and announced its arrival with a stunning fifth place for JJ Lehto. No new team had made the top six on its debut since Wolf won in Argentina in 1977. The Formula 1 world was surprised by the form of the newcomer, whose sleek black car carried only a few logos, including one that proclaimed 'Concept by Mercedes-Benz'.
The fact that the Swiss squad's first F1 car was designated C12 was a good clue as to why it had come out of the blocks so strongly. Peter Sauber had been manufacturing racing cars for over two decades, and had won the world sportscar championship with works Mercedes support in 1989 and 1990.
Stella: “No excuses” for F1 teams chasing Red Bull
Stella: “No excuses” for F1 teams chasing Red Bull Stella: “No excuses” for F1 teams chasing Red Bull
Vasseur: Tyres key to Ferrari Jeddah F1 race form
Vasseur: Tyres key to Ferrari Jeddah F1 race form Vasseur: Tyres key to Ferrari Jeddah F1 race form
Horner: No place at Red Bull for Hamilton for F1 2024
Horner: No place at Red Bull for Hamilton for F1 2024 Horner: No place at Red Bull for Hamilton for F1 2024
Horner: Red Bull has to "make hay" before rivals catch up
Horner: Red Bull has to "make hay" before rivals catch up Horner: Red Bull has to "make hay" before rivals catch up
Ocon: Alpine "not satisfied" with current F1 pace
Ocon: Alpine "not satisfied" with current F1 pace Ocon: Alpine "not satisfied" with current F1 pace
Mercedes explains approach to changing F1 car concept
Mercedes explains approach to changing F1 car concept Mercedes explains approach to changing F1 car concept
Jeddah confirmed pace of AMR23, says Aston Martin F1 boss
Jeddah confirmed pace of AMR23, says Aston Martin F1 boss Jeddah confirmed pace of AMR23, says Aston Martin F1 boss
Nico Hulkenberg: Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
Nico Hulkenberg: Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return Nico Hulkenberg: Why F1's nearly man is refreshed and ready for his return
Tsuchiya Supra team confident it won't miss opener after crash
Tsuchiya Supra team confident it won't miss opener after crash Tsuchiya Supra team confident it won't miss opener after crash
Allmendinger fights back in chaotic Xfinity race to win at COTA
Allmendinger fights back in chaotic Xfinity race to win at COTA Allmendinger fights back in chaotic Xfinity race to win at COTA
Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid Sao Paulo E-Prix lead "dangerous"
Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid Sao Paulo E-Prix lead "dangerous" Vandoorne: Efforts to avoid Sao Paulo E-Prix lead "dangerous"
Mir penalised for Quartararo clash in Portugal MotoGP sprint race
Mir penalised for Quartararo clash in Portugal MotoGP sprint race Mir penalised for Quartararo clash in Portugal MotoGP sprint race
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
Why Red Bull's biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Why Red Bull's biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull's biggest F1 adversary is now itself
How Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
How Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri How Tost's public lack of trust could hurt AlphaTauri
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for the hopes of a real F1 title fight
What Perez's Jeddah joy means for the hopes of a real F1 title fight What Perez's Jeddah joy means for the hopes of a real F1 title fight
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay How Perez kept Verstappen’s Saudi Arabian GP surge at bay
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off The enormous job facing F1 for its Vegas gamble to pay off
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come Testing times for Vasseur, but the true challenge at Ferrari is about to come
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.