Sauber needs time to make use of new investment

Sauber technical director Jorg Zander says the team will need time to make the most of its extra potential following its change of ownership last year.

Having been facing financial concerns for a number of seasons, Sauber was taken over by Longbow Finance in July, securing its immediate future. With fresh investment as part of the deal – boosted by beating Manor to 10th place in the constructors' championship – Sauber has been expanding its workforce, with former chief designer Zander returning to the team from a role at Audi.

Zander (pictured) expects Sauber to need time to find a new structure that works for the team having previously been so restricted by a lack of finances.

"I want to see a clear improvement compared to last year," Zander said. "All of us in Hinwil want that. Our objective is to establish ourselves in the mid-field. In comparison to last year, we will implement our development plan for the whole season, but we have to be realistic as our reference is at a lower level than the ones of our competitors.

"We are on plan with the C36 and we are optimistic that our current development is heading in the right direction. At the moment it is impossible to make any predictions compared to our competitors due to the new regulations.

"Overall, 2017 will be an important year for us. The structure and process optimizations have to be defined and implemented. These are not procedures that can be implemented through literature or instructions – these are individual adjustments in which human attributes and culture play an important role. The team has to accept those changes and get comfortable with the new circumstances. That takes time."

With Sauber having scored multiple podium finishes in the 2012 season, Zander is targeting a return to the level of performance that allowed the team to secure such headline results, even though he is aware to do so consistently will be a challenge.

"Together with my technical team, I will start with the 2018 concept soon. This won't happen too early, as we want to conduct a fundamental analysis of where we stand at the beginning of the 2017 season. I want to have a good organized team with satisfied and motivated employees, which becomes a name in Formula 1 that can spring surprises once in a while. I also want to look after confidence and long-term stability. From what I have seen so far, I am very optimistic that we can achieve that."