Team to keep same driver line-up for two successive years for first time since 2012
Monday 27 July 2015 14:24, UK
Sauber have announced Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr will remain with the team for a second season in 2016.
Nasr was believed to be in contention to replace Valtteri Bottas at Williams if, as expected, the Finn replaces countryman Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari.
But the Brazilian will instead continue to drive alongside Ericsson in a partnership which is believed to bring in excess of £15m of sponsorship money to the Swiss outfit.
"Fascinating that Sauber are the first team to confirm their unchanged 2016 driver line up," responded Sky Sports F1 pundit Martin Brundle. "And positive for the team and F1."
Nasr and Ericsson joined Sauber for 2015 in a brand-new driver line-up for the team. But their appointment was immediately plunged into controversy when Giedo van der Garde took the team to court in Australia ahead of the season-opening Australian GP claiming he had a contract to race.
GP2 graduate Nasr made an immediate impact by finishing fifth in Australia to record the best ever finish for a Brazilian rookie in F1 and after a pointless 2014, Sauber have scored 21 in the opening nine races to sit ahead of Toro Rosso, McLaren and Marussia in the Constructors’ Championship.
“We are pleased about the extension of the contracts with Marcus and Felipe,” said team principal Monisha Kaltenborn.
“This early point in time shows that the drivers and the team are sure they are heading in the right direction. We have full confidence in the talents and skills of Marcus and Felipe. Both have shown solid performances, gained experience and learnt quickly.
“We enjoy having them in the team and they give it a positive boost. Despite their young ages, they work very professionally – on as well as off the track. Marcus and Felipe are already involved in a very dedicated way with the development of next year’s Sauber C35.”
Nasr has scored 16 of the team’s 21 points and has dominated the intra-team battle in both qualifying and races this year.
“It is great to be driving another season for the Sauber F1 Team,” the Brazilian said.
“The extension to the contract with the Sauber F1 Team is an important step in my career. During the first half of the season, in what is my rookie year, I was able to gain a lot of experience from a driving perspective as well as on the personal side.
“Finishing fifth at my first ever Formula 1 race in Melbourne in the Australian Grand Prix is so far my career highlight. Now I am looking forward to the second half of the season. My objective is to support the team as best I can, and also with regard to the development of the new car.”
Ericsson spent 2014 with Caterham where the car's pace made it difficult for him to show his potential, but is convinced that he will continue to improve next year with Sauber.
"To get it done this early is perfect. It means you can focus on the performance for the rest of the year and not think too much about next year because you know what you have," Ericsson told reporters following the announcement.
"I was very surprised actually that it was this early, but the team made it very clear they were happy with both me and Felipe and wanted us to stay for next year. From my side, I'm really happy to be able to stay here."
The Sauber duo had previously been rivals in the GP2 Series, but despite initial reservations about how their partnership in F1 would work out, Ericsson believes they are proving a good pairing.
"Obviously in GP2 we had some tough battles and we were maybe not best friends there, so before the season started I wasn't sure how it was going to work out," he admitted.
"But I have to say, straight away from the start of the year, we have had a really good working relationship and discuss the car together to try different things in practice sessions to see what is working and what is not working. So far it's been really good."
