Sauber unveils 2011 F1 car

Sauber Motorsports has just unveiled its C30 Formula One car in Valencia ahead of tomorrow’s opening test day. On hand for the ceremonial cover removing duties were Team Principal, Peter Sauber and drivers Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Perez.

After the withdrawal of BMW’s support before the 2010 season last year was a lean one for Sauber. However, with Ferrari power the potential is there for solid results. Something Peter Sauber is hoping for in 2011, “We want to finish in the points regularly and clearly improve our position.

“We implemented some well-considered structural changes. The appointment of James Key as technical director already bore fruit last season, and he is now in charge of development of the Sauber C30-Ferrari. At the same time, we have managed to secure our business foundation for the 2011 season. In these economically straitened times that is something we can be proud of too.”

Indeed, the C30 has a lot more sponsorship on its predominantly white shell that the C29 did. There’s still plenty of real estate left, though.

As for all teams, the switch to Pirelli tyres and dramatic changes to the aerodynamic regulations, bring with it some extra challenges this season. James Key explains, “Since some of the changes decreed by the regulations – particularly regarding the tyres – can only be analysed out on track, it was important for us to build, firstly, a fundamentally predictable car and, secondly, one that would provide sufficient flexibility to respond to ongoing findings at the track and during further development stages.”

There’s more pics after the break, including some nice detail shots.