Pascal Wehrlein is optimistic that Sauber will be able to display strong development across the course of the 2017 campaign, in an attempt to nullify its engine disadvantage.
Sauber is the only team on the Formula 1 grid to use a year-old power unit, with its C36 equipped with Ferrari’s 2016 package, which has not been updated since the closing stages of last season.
Sauber is set to face an increasing disadvantage as the season progresses, with rival teams able to implement tweaks to their power units, a similar situation to that faced by Toro Rosso in 2016.
Wehrlein, who returned from his injury-induced fitness layoff at the preceding round in Bahrain, believes Sauber has the capability to ensure it will not become dragged down by its engine deficit.
“Of course we have a disadvantage,” Wehrlein explained ahead of the Russian Grand Prix.
“Especially I think in the second half of the season with the engine, because we have last year’s Ferrari engine.
“But I think we can make big progress with the car and hopefully we are making bigger progress with the car in the second half of the season [when] the engine is a disadvantage.
“Let’s see how the season goes, I will do my best, hopefully we can score a few points.”
Wehrlein added that he is feeling “more comfortable” at Sauber following his day in the C36 last week during testing.
“I think my first weekend was great, P13 in qualifying, P11 in the race, I couldn’t be more happy about my first weekend,” he said.
“Then the test after the race went well, I nearly did 100 laps, I’m feeling more and more comfortable with the car and also the team and the procedures.
“I’m looking forward to start my season finally now.”
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