Jerez, Day 4: Sauber test report

Today marks the end of the four day test in Jerez. Adrian Sutil completed 69 laps at the wheel of the Sauber C33-Ferrari. During the four days Esteban Gutiérrez and Adrian Sutil completed a total of 163 laps (721.764 km). The team was able to gain experience with the vastly different systems that are being introduced for the 2014 season. All the data and what has been learnt will be analysed in the factory over the next two weeks in order to be well prepared for the next test in Bahrain.

Giampaolo Dall’Ara, Head of Track Engineering:

“Today it was raining on and off, with the track not really drying. However, that didn’t affect our programme. Compared to yesterday and the day before, we can see that the car has improved. During the past four days we were able to complete a total of 163 laps. Our main target was to focus on the reliability of the C33. We wanted to get to know all the new systems and get as much mileage as possible. With all the data we gathered we will be busy over the next two weeks. For the next two tests in Bahrain we will bring a major aerodynamic package. This will allow us to also focus on performance, as well as the reliability of the C33.”

Adrian Sutil:

“The track conditions today were tricky, in addition to having low grip and low downforce. I’m quite happy that the brake-by-wire system worked today. We still have to get to know it better, but we have a lot of data that we can analyse and learn from. This test was more like a roll-out for us, so the spec was very different to what we are going to have on the car ultimately. This test was a big task for the driver as well as the team. We completed quite a few laps here, which is particularly important for the power unit. We didn’t have too many problems, but it is still a lot of work to do, as the cars are still quite young. In Bahrain I think we can start to work on the performance of the car. The temperature will be closer to race conditions, and we will have a different package on the car. I’m looking forward to that.”

This was the final day of testing in Jerez. The next tests will take place from 19th to 22nd February and 27th February to 2nd March, both in Bahrain.