Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn has hinted that her outfit will continue to run with FRIC (front and rear inter-connected) suspension at the German Grand Prix.
Whilst not as advanced as some, the Swiss outfit is known to run a FRIC system on its C33, therefore it would likely contravene the regulations should Charlie Whiting’s assessment that the system is illegal under ‘moveable aerodyanmic devices’ be correct.
It is yet to be seen whether the stewards will agree with his decision, but most teams have opted to remove the system as a precaution.
Kaltenborn however, speaking to reporters on Thursday, insists the Sauber system complies with the rules and will therefore be on the car, regardless of what others are doing.
“We’ve not changed anything on that [the suspension side],” she said. “We were fine before [the directive] we’ll be fine now.”
The Indian welcomed rivals to protest their car if they believe it to contravene the rules.
“If some people feel they need to protest they should go ahead.”
The team’s decision isn’t motivated by gaining performance compared to rivals who may choose not to run FRIC, she insisted.
“I would not take such an unnecessary risk to think that just with this I can get now miraculously how many tenths of a second; that would be a bit foolish to do, or short-sighted.”
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