Sauber aims to strengthen its progress with improvements at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Austrian Grand Prix Update

Formula 1’s grid is heading to Stilian Hills for the Austrian Grand Prix this week. This event marks the first of a back-to-back race setup, leading into the historic Silverstone circuit for the British Grand Prix next weekend.

At Sauber, the team is optimistic that the C45 upgrade will help maintain their recent momentum from the last two races.

Veteran driver Nico Hülkenberg managed to score points in both the Spanish and Canadian Grands Prix, notably finishing fifth in Barcelona after overtaking Lewis Hamilton on the last lap, and then securing eighth place in Montreal.

Currently, the team is rolling out various new components for the Austrian race.

“The results from Spain and Canada are encouraging and demonstrate the direction we’re heading, both on the track and in the factory. Austria presents a chance to capitalize on this momentum, especially with new parts coming into play from the first practice session,” a team representative expressed.

“Spielberg is one of the shorter circuits in Formula 1, which means the margins are very tight this season, even with similar performance numbers,” Wheatley noted. “There’s still much work to be done, and our focus remains on execution. We have every opportunity to build on the progress achieved in recent weeks.”

Hülkenberg referred to the last two races as “a medium step” for the team.

“Racing in Austria always has a great vibe. The atmosphere is distinctive and energetic,” Hülkenberg mentioned. “The past couple of weeks have shown steady progression for us, and things feel a bit more solid now.”

“With a few new parts on the car this weekend, it’s crucial to understand how they perform and to maximize our sessions. We’ll concentrate on refining the details and putting everything together, just like we’ve been doing recently, to seize any opportunities that come our way.”

Rookie Gabriel Boltreto hasn’t finished in the points this season yet, but the 2024 F2 champion took home a feature race win at the Red Bull Ring last year and had a strong qualifying performance two races prior to the Spanish Grand Prix, where he finished 12th.

“I’m really excited about Spielberg. I enjoy the track, and it’s a fantastic venue for racing,” said Boltreto. “The recent events have been encouraging for the team and have highlighted our progress. I’m eager to achieve strong results for myself.”