Return of Sauber

[Ardius]

This can't really go in the other threads, so I'll make a thread all about Sauber just for this news:
http://translate.google.com/transla..._das_wieder_machen_1.4421319.html&sl=de&tl=en

Now, its a poor translation (as always from Google) but interestingly Peter says the 2nd driver will be an experienced driver who will bring "new knowledge" into the team. He also confirms it means Heidfeld is out of the running.
To me this basically confirms no Heidfeld and no Klien (otherwise it wouldn't be "new knowledge"). Which leaves Pedro de la Rosa, Alex Wurz, Jacques Villenueve, Kazuki Nakajima, Sebastien Bourdais, Takuma Sato, Giancarlo Fisichella or Anthony Davidson.
I doubt Villenueve, Nakajima and Bourdais are in the running and I'm not sure Sauber would go for a double banzai with Sato. I think its most likely to be Wurz or de la Rosa. I'm not sure Fisichella will be there, but I will admit its a strong possibility.

If anyone knows German (correct me if I'm wrong), it would be great to have a better translation of the original article:
http://www.nzz.ch/nachrichten/sport/aktuell/ich_wuerde_das_wieder_machen_1.4421319.html


He also talks about being a team owner again and states he always thought QADBAK were a bit uncertain. He clearly doesn't want to stick around more than this year, but he wants to secure the future of the team properly. (and wow I never realised he was 66!).

Edit: Woops, made the basic forum mistake and failed to look down the threads....if a moderator could please merge this with the existing thread, thanks

 

[PeterJB]

I do hope they keep their original livery, it was hot.

 

[P1]

Maybe Ralph Schumacher will be their 2nd driver, he said he would come back if he was offered a competitive drive.

 

[Sharky.]

Peter says the 2nd driver will be an experienced driver who will bring "new knowledge" into the team.

He also confirms it means Heidfeld is out of the running.

lolwut

Nick isn't either experienced or capable of bringing "new knowledge" to the team? Heidfeld is by far and away a superior driver than any of de la Rosa, Fisi, K-Nak, Boullabaise (experienced? lol) et al...

 

[Sureboss]

His point being that Heidfeld is already a part of that team, so can't bring "new experience" to the fold.

I thought Davidson was at one of the new teams?

 

[Ardius]

I do hope they keep their original livery, it was hot.

Unlikely, as Petronas has gone to Mercedes, as they wanted to further a relationship with a manufacturer, that was BMW but well you know the rest.
Red Bull are unlikely to sponsor them again too, but you never know.
Credit Suisse are probably likely.

I think we will see a Panasonic based livery perhaps, but Sauber has had a fair few different colours over the years, from Silver Arrows (Le Mans), black, black with dots, dark blue (red bull) and then finally the one we all know, the blue, green, white petronas/red bull combo.
I'll be happy as long as they don't have a boring white livery and use something distinctive again.

Maybe Ralph Schumacher will be their 2nd driver, he said he would come back if he was offered a competitive drive.

Never, I don't think he considers Sauber "competitive" and any competitive team is not going to hire Mr "I'm the 3rd best driver in F1 at the moment". He's been fairly bad in DTM and was unimpressive at Toyota with a fat pay.

He had some skill every now and again but he has definitely had it.

lolwut

Nick isn't either experienced or capable of bringing "new knowledge" to the team? Heidfeld is by far and away a superior driver than any of de la Rosa, Fisi, K-Nak, Boullabaise (experienced? lol) et al...

New was the operative word here, Heidfeld would not be a new driver at the team, neither would Klien. So neither would bring something "new" to the team, unlike de La Rosa who has been McLaren tester for ages....which brings knowledge, of McLaren working practices. Who is Sauber's engine supplier next year? Ferrari? Who is Ferrari's rival? You put the pieces together.
Fisichella is possible too for the same reasons, Ferrari give a slightly discount on engines for Fisichella to drive (and hence not be off the pace if he had to replace someone).
Anyway, Sauber himself admitted he meant Heidfeld didn't meet the description and went on to suggest he thinks we will be "surprised" by the driver he's picked. Heidfeld would certainly not be a surprise, nor would Klien.

I agree though that Heidfeld is superior to the rest, but I think he's off to Renault or maybe even USF1 if he feels like doing what Glock's done.

Oh, and like it or not but Bourdais is very experienced - he is a highly successful driver and I and many others believe he was the victim of internal politics at Toro Rosso (how else can he be so good in pretty much everything else?). He was Renault test driver and his 1 and a half years plus all those championships count him as experienced. He's certainly no rookie.

His point being that Heidfeld is already a part of that team, so can't bring "new experience" to the fold.

I thought Davidson was at one of the new teams?

Davidson hasn't been confirmed anywhere yet. He has a chance at USF1, but then almost anyone has but otherwise it looks doubtful for him. I had thought Lotus would have picked him up (Gascoyne does like him and he was on their list for a bit) but they didn't. Sauber probably won't either but you never know, he is at least a possibility, at least much as Sato or Bourdais.
Campos are unlikely to be trying for him as they have many drivers already on their list with infinity more money behind them, Ant's only chances in my opinion were at teams who already have money and were looking for experience - which Lotus was.

Sauber clearly are desperate for cash and security at the moment so I think de la Rosa and his Santander backing will be taking it. Heidfeld would be a driver they pay and he probably has other options (or he should have).

 

[prisonermonkeys]

Nick isn't either experienced or capable of bringing "new knowledge" to the team?

He doesn't mean that Heidfeld is incapable of learning new tricks, only that the team will have someone who is a) experienced and b) new to the team.

 

[iced16]

lolwut

Nick isn't either experienced or capable of bringing "new knowledge" to the team? Heidfeld is by far and away a superior driver than any of de la Rosa, Fisi, K-Nak, Boullabaise (experienced? lol) et al...

tottaly right! Nick has more experience than 70% other F1 drivers...

 

[prisonermonkeys]

If Heidfeld was signed, he'd no doubt take number one status within. And let's be perfectly honest here: he's hardly set the world alight. He's a very static driver in that he hasn't gone anywhere. Alongside him would be Kamui Kobayashi. Now, Heidfeld really represents the nearest past - that moment of the past that is closest to the present; ie, what happened five minutes ago. He's been in the sport for ten years, and he's getting long in the tooth. Whatever happens, he is fast approaching the twilight of his career. Kamui Kobayashi, on the other hand, represents the future. He's the fan favourite after two races, and expectations of him are high (perhaps a little unjustly so). Pairing him with Heidfeld - with his reputation for annihilating team-mates - would be a mistake. If Heidfeld were to beat Kobayashi, it's unlikely the Japanese driver would rise up through the ranks.

Now, I know: Pedro de la Rosa is even older than Heidfeld, and much less stellar in his achievements (and this is Nick Heidfeld we're talking about, the paragon of sheer mediocrity). But he is one of he most experienced test drivers in the sport. Who better to mentor Kobayashi than de la Rosa? The Japanese driver gets an education, while the Spanish driver gets one last season racing. And the team get some money since losing Petronas hurt them so. It's unlikely that Kobayashi will fail to beat de la Rosa. At the end of the year, he'll look better for it: his first season and he beats an infnitely more experienced team-mate while racing for Peter Sauber, a man with a reputation as a finder of new talent. It is stacking the odds in Kobayashi's favour, but how is that a crime? It's better than having him humiliated by Heidfeld.

What's more, Sauber is said to be reluctant in his role as team principal and owner this season. He sold to BMW, and while the team carried his name, he had very little to do with it. He wanted to retire, but then a buyer for the team could not be found and Sauber didn't want it to become dead in the water. I wouldn't be surprised if he looks to sell the team on at the end of 2010. And he can make it a very attractice prospect if Kobayashi beats de la Rosa. The team will potentially come with great prospects. Certainly better than if Heidfeld were to beat Kobayashi. It'd be very nice if Kobayashi could beat Heidfeld, but that's unlikely to happen. Kobayashi beating de la Rosa is a lesser evil.

 

[Ardius]

interludes, this nothing more than a money issue. Pure and simple. I don't think he's hired Kobayashi to help sell the team, he's probably getting some kind of deal from him (Panasonic sponsorship or some kind of Toyota money at least).

Heidfeld may have already found other employment too.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Please continue this chat in this thread