System 1’s seventy fifth marketing campaign delivered some surprises within the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. The drivers on the rostrum had been largely in step with expectations, as Lando Norris held off Max Verstappen to assert victory whereas George Russell completed third. However the remainder of the highest ten delivered some surprises.
Maybe the most important? Nico Hülkenberg completed seventh for Sauber, delivering six important factors for the crew after they completed final within the Constructors’ Championship a season in the past.
Once they scored simply 4 all 12 months.
Now because the grid heads to Shanghai for this weekend’s Chinese language Grand Prix, the veteran driver believes Sauber has some “constructive momentum” at their backs.
“Beginning the season with factors in Melbourne was an incredible consequence for the crew, giving us constructive momentum heading into China,” mentioned Hülkenberg within the crew’s media preview.
On the opposite aspect of the storage, it was a blended debut for rookie Gabriel Bortoleto. The 2024 F2 Drivers’ Champion superior to Q2 in his first F1 qualifying session — outperforming his teammate — however noticed his Australian Grand Prix finish with a spin in moist circumstances on Lap 45.
“Australia was a giant studying expertise for me, and I’m trying ahead to place that into observe as I put together for one more race weekend,” described Bortoleto.
Mattia Binotto, the crew’s Chief Working Officer and Chief Know-how Officer, was measured in his evaluation.
“The race in Melbourne was positively an encouraging begin to our 2025 marketing campaign, however now we give attention to the following race weekend,” started Binotto. “The altering climate allowed us to collect essential information about how the C45 performs in several circumstances, and the crew executed flawlessly, which was a constructive plus.
“However it’s additionally clear that the altering circumstances through the race created a chance for us to attain factors. General, the automotive nonetheless wants enchancment to constantly combat for factors in an ordinary race. That’s why, at this stage, it’s essential for us to capitalize on each alternative and proceed optimizing our efficiency.”
The crew might want to optimize that efficiency over the primary F1 Dash race weekend of the season. Each Hülkenberg and Bortoleto notice that the format means each session carries “significance,” and requires focus.
“Dash race weekends convey an added stage of depth, and so they additionally introduce a singular dynamic, significantly on Saturday, the place each session carries added significance. Instantly after the dash, you need to re-focus to focus on the qualifying for the primary race,” mentioned Hülkenberg. “Our strategy stays the identical: we have to profit from each session of the weekend, gathering as a lot data as potential.”
“The Dash format will see us in motion instantly, however I’m prepared for the problem. I spent quite a lot of time within the simulator getting accustomed to Shanghai through the pre-season, and whereas it positively is a demanding circuit, I’m excited to get on the market for the primary time,” added the rookie Bortoleto. “The important thing for us will likely be to maximise each lap and put all the things collectively when it issues. My purpose is to take one other step ahead and be within the combine in each the Dash and the primary Race on Sunday.”
For Binotto, preparation and “fast decision-making” will likely be key for Sauber, if they’re to ship one other shock end in Shanghai.
“Now, we transfer on to Shanghai, the place the Dash format ends in a good stricter agenda. One single observe session implies that preparation and fast decision-making will likely be key particularly given the tight battle for reaching the highest ten,” mentioned the Sauber boss.
“We all know the place we stand and the place we have to enhance and are able to take any alternative that may get throughout once more this weekend.”
