MATCHETT: Formula 1’s Underdog

Formula 1

MATCHETT: Formula 1’s Underdog

Kamui Kobayashi put in a remarkable performance during last week’s Japanese Grand Prix...

Steve Matchett | Posted October 11, 2012 Charlotte, NC

Kamui Kobayashi of Japan and Sauber F1 celebrates on the podium after finishing third during the Japanese Formula One Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Formula 1 driver Kamui Kobayashi’s celebratory third-place performance last weekend in the Japanese Grand Prix signified much more than a Japanese driver’s first podium finish at Suzuka.

It demonstrated just how strong the underrated, non-factory Sauber team truly is this season. Kobayashi currently sits 11th in the driver’s championship, just one spot behind his teammate, Sergio Perez. The drivers ahead of them in the standings are all big names competing for powerhouse teams, but that small detail hasn’t deterred Sauber’s progression and aspirations in 2012.

In fact, in a considerably uncharacteristic move, Sauber this week distributed a press release in advance of Sunday’s Korean Grand Prix that said it wouldn’t be impossible for them to overthrow Mercedes for fifth in the FIA constructors’ championship. What a coup that would be for Sauber because Mercedes is a fully-funded factory team, while Sauber exists as a relatively tiny, private enterprise.

As the 2012 Formula 1 season opened, no one dreamed Sauber would pose a legitimate threat to overtake Mercedes, nor expected the small Swiss team to out-qualify Ferrari and outscore Mercedes armed with but a token fraction of their rivals’ budgets.

Sauber isn’t outperforming Mercedes with their bank account; they are doing it with great driving, a strong Sauber C31, top-notch employees, near unbelievable tire management and a wise, passionate team owner.

One of Sauber’s key weapons is Willem Toet, a great aerodynamicist with whom I worked several years ago, back in the ’90s. Toet is one of those people content to never have his name mentioned in the press, but his contributions to Sauber’s success are remarkable. His hand in the Sauber C31 is clearly evident in its very clean, simplistic lines and efficient shape. Working alongside Toet is Sauber’s chief designer, Matt Morris - responsible for drawing the car’s mechanicals – and a superb job he has done. Oddly enough, Sauber’s technical director left the team just before the season commenced, and many speculated his exit would negatively impact the team’s performance. However, Peter Sauber’s reaction was to restructure his organization by doing away with the need of a technical director; instead his department heads now report directly to him. That plan seems to be paying dividends.

What also makes the Sauber C31 a great threat to teams like Ferrari, Mercedes and Lotus is that Sauber have figured out how to best use the Pirelli tires and make them last. Sauber are capable of running long, deep stints into the race, while other manufacturers are struggling with tire wear and tire degradation and therefore having to pit early. Sauber are often able to run a race on two stops while some others are running three, lending them a great tactical advantage.

Considering Kamui Kobayashi’s remarkable performance during last week’s Japanese Grand Prix, I’d suggest the man has done himself nothing but good with regard to his chances of remaining with Sauber next season. I found Sauber’s comments after the Japan race very interesting. The team essentially said the driver’s results in Japan won’t make a difference to their decision over Kamui’s future one way or the other, which, on the surface, may sound somewhat negative. Their rationale, however, is that the team already knows how talented he is and, at the end of the day, podium finishes are expected from him... I sincerely hope Kamui has done enough to impress Peter Sauber: the Japanese is exciting to watch, a man totally committed, putting everything on the line. I like him. A lot.

Peter Sauber, the man at the helm, is highly-regarded and well-liked, a man who has been in racing for a very long time: In no small part it was he who facilitated Michael Schumacher’s arrival in Formula 1 back in 1991; the seven-time F1 champion having driven for Sauber’s sports car program prior to his drive with Jordan, in Spa, 1991.

Peter Sauber sold his F1 team, longing for retirement, then quickly repurchased it from BMW after their subsequent decision to discontinue all F1 operations. Peter could have held onto his money and walked away an exceedingly rich man – and no one in the paddock would have faulted him for that - but he instead rescued the team from the brink of destruction, saving many of the workforce from unemployment. Just look at what he has accomplished since and what an amazing success story this small, private enterprise has become. Sauber has emerged a legitimate threat to overthrow Mercedes for fifth place in the FIA constructors’ championship (Mercedes!) and, this weekend, they will take the next step toward that goal in Korea. By season’s end this story could become a true F1 fairytale. And I like happy endings.

The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or SPEED

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Steve Matchett

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