The Sauber team, based in Hinwil, Switzerland, has struggled throughout this Formula 1 season and remains the only team yet to score any points. Their qualifying performance has declined since the beginning of the season.
During the race in Montreal, Valtteri Bottas had a promising start in mixed weather conditions. However, he pitted too early to change to slick tires as the track dried out. This decision pushed him back to 13th place, just outside the points, trailing Pierre Gasly by 10 seconds.
Despite several top drivers retiring from the race, including Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc, and Sergio Perez, which could have opened a window for Sauber to score points, they missed the opportunity. Meanwhile, Alpine secured two top-10 finishes.
Bottas commented on their situation, saying, “We still have work to do. We need to keep bringing upgrades and make the car faster. It is not rocket science, we just need more bits.” When asked about upcoming upgrades for the Spanish Grand Prix, Bottas mentioned they have small updates planned but noted the challenges of the high downforce track.
Bottas’s teammate, Zhou Guanyu, faced difficulties throughout the weekend with the C44 car. He encountered two incidents during practice sessions that led to red flags. These struggles persisted into qualifying, forcing him to start from the back row and ultimately from the pitlane for the race.
Finishing as the only driver lapped by race winner Verstappen, Zhou reflected on his race, saying, “I was struggling with the different tire compounds. By halfway through the race, I was quite out of contention, feeling a bit isolated.” He added that the team has plans back at the factory to thoroughly analyze their issues and make adjustments for the next race.
When asked about the specific challenges with the car, Zhou explained, “It is everywhere, to be honest, just four-wheel sliding. We lack grip, which is quite straightforward but not easy to solve quickly.”
Looking ahead, Sauber aims to improve their performance by addressing these technical challenges and optimizing their setup for future races. The team acknowledges the need for continuous development and adjustments to compete more competitively in upcoming events.
