Sauber unveil new C30 F1 car at Valencia 

Written by David on January 31st, 2011 at 12:40 pmLast Update: February 01st, 2011 at 11:50 am

Sauber Ferrari C30Sauber drivers Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez unveiled today at the Valencia circuit in Spain, the team’s 2011 contender, the Ferrari powered Sauber C30.

Two thousand and eleven sees the Sauber F1 Team embark on its 19th Formula One season. Leaving behind the upheavals of 2010 that followed the metamorphosis from a works to a private team, the aim is to present itself in 2011 with renewed stability.

“We want to finish in the points regularly and clearly improve our position in the FIA Formula One Constructors’ World Championship,” said Sauber Team Principal Peter Sauber. “Two thousand and ten marked the 41st year of our company history and one of the most difficult. But we managed to overcome these difficulties in the second half of the season. We implemented some well-considered structural changes. The appointment of James Key as Technical Director already bore fruit last season, and he is now in charge of development of the Sauber C30-Ferrari. At the same time, we have managed to secure our business foundation for the 2011 season. In these economically straitened times that is something we can be proud of too.”

Sauber Ferrari C30

The aim is for the Sauber C30-Ferrari not just to prove more reliable than its predecessor; there were a number of other weaknesses to be banished as well. One of the overriding targets is to improve aerodynamic efficiency, low-speed cornering, mechanical grip and to gain more flexibility in suspension tuning.

Sauber Ferrari C30

The new technical regulations certainly presented the engineers with a tricky assignment, since the ban on double diffusers fundamentally alters the car’s aerodynamic concept. Another tough challenge was the switch to Pirelli tyres, which meant the engineers had to make decisions during the concept phase before the teams had a chance to test the tyres out on track. Further changes stipulate a ban on the F-duct and the adjustable front wing. Instead, the rear wing may now be adjusted by the driver, and the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) is once again available to run.

Sauber Ferrari C30 launch

The striking visual features of the Sauber C30 are a raised front, slender waist, compact rear, new rollhoop and downward-sloping engine cover. Propelling the car as before is the Ferrari 056 engine, while power delivery is courtesy of a new Ferrari transmission. The KERS also comes from the Maranello factory.

Sauber Ferrari C30

“In order to take a step forward in 2011, we were already systematically tackling the C29’s weaknesses over the last season – and we’ve made progress,” said Sauber F1 Technical Director, James Key. “The insights we gleaned were taken into account when the concept for the new C30 was being drawn up. Since some of the changes decreed by the regulations – particularly regarding the tyres – can only be analysed out on track, it was important for us to build, firstly, a fundamentally predictable car and, secondly, one that would provide sufficient flexibility to respond to ongoing findings at the track and during further development stages.”

Sauber Ferrari C30

As part of the development programme, the team will be fitting the C30 with a new aerodynamic package before the curtain raiser in Bahrain.

Sauber Ferrari C30

Sauber C30 Technical Specificiations:

  • Chassis: Carbon-fibre monocoque.
  • Wheel Suspension: Upper and lower wishbones (front and rear), inboard springs and dampers, actuated by pushrods (Sachs Race Engineering).
  • Brakes: Six-piston brake callipers (Brembo), carbon pads and discs (Brembo).
  • Transmission:: Ferrari 7-speed quick shift gearbox, carbon, longitudinally mounted, carbon-fibre clutch
  • Chassis electronics: McLaren Electronic Systems (MES)
  • KERS: Ferrari (Magneti Marelli)
  • Steering Wheel: Sauber F1 Team
  • Tyres: Pirelli P Zero
  • Wheels: OZ
  • Length: 4,935 mm
  • Width: 1,800 mm
  • Height: 1,000 mm
  • Track width, front: 1,495 mm
  • Track width, rear: 1,410 mm
  • Weight: 640 kg (incl. driver, tank empty)

Ferrari 056 Engine:

  • Type: Naturally aspirated V8, cylinder angle 90 degrees
  • Cylinder block: Sand cast aluminium
  • Valves / valve train: 32 / pneumatic
  • Displacement: 2,398 cc
  • Bore: 98 mm
  • Weight: > 95 kg
  • Electronic injection and ignition

Images © Sauber F1

One Comment

  1. Robert says:

    I hope the bite of this car is as bad as its bark because in the past for sum reason you guys never get the type of proformance as the factorey ferrary in strate line speed .I hope this year is mutch better all the best in the new season ..

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