Sauber Gives C32 a Brand New Nose and Paint Job

SauberSauberSwitzerland, 1970 > present21 models
166 photos
4 videos
has taken the cover off its new C32 Formula 1 chassis with a new look and whole new livery. The team also has two new drivers at the team - Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Gutierrez. Compared to other teams, the changes to the car are extensive.

Sauber says that the C32 has not changed much over last year's C31Sauber C31Switzerland, 2012 > 201211 photos
. The two biggest changes are a slightly smoothed nose and a new grey and silver livery. The side air intakes are narrower than last year. It has also changed the shape of the rear of the car to improve airflow to the radiators. 

Chief designer Matt Morris says that last year's car was quite competitive, and this year's car is an evolution of that design. 

Mechanically, the team has a new rear suspension layout based on pull rods. It claims that the design improves the rear aerodynamics and reduces rear tire wear. 

The team also says that it has reduced the car's weight to be able to reposition the ballast. It did not go into detail about what components were lightened. 

"Last season, our car used the tires quite well during the race. But we had a problem using the tires to their maximum in qualifying. We researched this phenomenon and found corresponding solutions," said Morris. 

Sauber had a good season in 2012. It was happy to go from scoring 44 points in the Constructors' World Championship in 2011 to scoring 126 points in 2012. It hopes to build on this success in 2013 with even more points. 

Nico Hulkenberg moves to Sauber from Force India last season. Sauber also has a new driver for its team, rookie Gutierrez. He was GP3 champion in 2010 and came in third in the GP2 championship in 2012. Robin Frijns will take over Gutiérrez's former position as test driver for Sauber. 

The C26 will hit the track for the first time at the February Formula 1 test at Jerez.