Thank you, Sauber! The Swiss outfit has unveiled their new C44 race car and it is definitely a head-turner. Unlike Williams, who opted for a simple livery reveal, Sauber has gone all out with a Red Bull and McLaren-inspired design. The team is entering their first season with Stake as their sole title sponsor, and they wanted to make a statement with their car’s appearance. The fluo green and black livery is sure to catch everyone’s attention on the track.
Sauber wants to emphasize that this colorway is not a tribute to the past, but rather a nod to a new and exciting future. It’s like NASCAR sponsors designing a livery for Sauber. The team believes that more F1 teams should come up with high-contrasting liveries, just like theirs. They suggest bright yellow, purple, or pink to add some excitement to the grid.
James Key, the technical director, praised the team’s work on the C44 project. He mentioned that the front suspension has been completely redesigned, switching from a push-rod to a pull-rod design, similar to Red Bull and McLaren. This change is expected to bring aerodynamic gains. The aero package has also undergone significant changes, with new sidepods and engine cover. Sauber has had to redesign many of the car’s internals to accommodate these modifications. Although not visible yet, there will also be a completely new floor.
Fans will get a chance to see the C44 in action during a filming day in Barcelona before the preseason testing in Bahrain. Sauber is hoping for better results this year after finishing second-to-last in the Constructors Standings in the 2023 F1 season. They scored only 16 points, just 4 points ahead of Haas and 9 points behind AlphaTauri. It’s safe to say that they were stuck in No Man’s Land.
