After the fifth place by Nico Hülkenberg at the Formula 1 race in Spain, there was finally reason to celebrate again-and at the end of a hard triplet lighter, there was also enough time. Because the flight back home failed – or should one rather say: has been canceled?
“I have to say for the protocol: The airline has deleted, not me,” laughs team boss Jonathan Wheatley with the idea of the Audi bosses at home and has even more “bad” news for her. Because the drinks on Sunday evening after the race should go to him – “with my company card”, as he adds with a wink.
For the team, the evening was definitely a great opportunity to celebrate. And for the new team leader it was a good way to spend some time with the team in a somewhat more relaxed situation.
Wheatley had announced that they would like to enjoy every second. “But as soon as I get out of the plane, I go straight to work. There is still a lot to do and now is not the moment for more than two glasses of champagne.”
However, the team deserved a little celebration: With fifth place in Barcelona won the best result of the season so far – and the first exclamation mark after months of hard construction work. The new upgrade boost in particular finally had an effect.
“I was just glad that the upgrade brought what we expected and that the feedback from the driver was constant,” says Wheatley, who had the feeling for the first time since taking office with a real racing car. “It’s a great feeling,” he enthuses.
The technology applies – finally
For a long time, Sauber had back behind the expectations, partly with a lot of bad luck, partly with a car that did not always reflect its own simulations. But now simulation and reality seem to be slow.
“The tools now work, the correlation fits. That was the reason why we started the cars with two different packages to really understand where the advantages are,” says Wheatley about the planning on Friday, where you were traveling with an old and a new package.
“You have to decide when you introduce an upgrade how big it should be, how long you leave it in the tools, how long it stays in the wind tunnel. We will make the right decision, I’m sure.”
The effect of the new parts could be seen immediately on the route. In a narrow midfield, where tenths of a second decide on points, progress made the difference this time: “I have been saying for some time when we are in the fight we are in a tenth of a second,” said Wheatley.
“Absolutely, we were actually able to bring both cars to Q2. And I think Nico’s performance in the first round shows how frustrated he was that he didn’t deliver it.”
And not only against the midfield could assert itself cleanly. It was particularly noteworthy that Sauber could even overtake Ferrari on the route. “To be honest, it was such a moment when you have to pinch yourself because it happened with the pure pace,” said the team boss.
More options through better package
An important factor in success was also the improvement of the car in turbulent air behind other vehicles. So far, Sauber has had great difficulties.
But: “I think we have to go on a few other routes before we can really say that,” he says. “Canada is coming now, that’s a really difficult route. If we come out with a strong performance, I am still more confident about the further way.”
But Wheatley remains factual even with all euphoria. He knows how tight the fight is and that even the smallest progress is crucial: “In the past you got an upgrade and hoped for half a second, six tenths, but now everything is so close together.”
“How often did we miss Q2 by a hundredth? So every performance that you bring to the car makes a difference. Honestly: The best strategy is to have the fastest car.”
The path is still long – but the course is right
Barcelona was possibly the hoped -for turning point. But the team knows that the path chosen must continue to go. A second, already announced update package is about to be introduced.
“We hope that we can use this as one of the diving boards that I have spoken of on our timetable where we want to go,” said Wheatley. “I hope we can build on this swing.”
For the team, the result not only means points, but above all confirmation of the hard work of the past few months.
“There is so much hard work and passion in this team,” says Wheatley his team. “I spent as much time as possible to speak there with as many people as possible. And I think it just feels like a huge relief because we know what we are capable of.”