Newly-arrived Sauber technical chief Jörg Zander says that the Hinwil-based team has renewed motivation after last year’s acquisition by Longbow Finance.
Sauber has struggled financially in recent years, with staff payments delayed in 2016, and last season it matched its worst classification of 10th in the constructors’ championship, having previously recorded the lowly placement in 2014.
However, Sauber was taken over mid-season by Longbow Finance, which gave the green light to long-awaited upgrades, and also embarked on a recruitment drive, with Zander, who officially took up his post in January, among the new arrivals.
“First of all, the impressions are positive,” he said during an interview with Sauber’s website.
“I have received a warm welcome and felt comfortable early on in a well-known environment.
“I am pleased with the attitude of my team. After the frustrations and fears of the recent turbulence, everyone is now much more motivated.
“There are obviously expectations; the team wants change, stability and direction and that is what we strive to achieve together.
“The technical conditions are ideal. In terms of the development and production we are independent, which enables short development cycles and flexibility.”
Zander added that he is keen to ensure that Sauber can streamline its approach in order to improve its efficiency.
“My tasks are the definition and optimisation of the technical organisational structure,” he explained.
“We have brilliant engineers and technicians here, so we now have to combine these competences and resources according to the requirements.
“It is important that we optimise our communication and decision processes, so that we can work even more efficiently.”
Sauber’s C36, which will be fitted with a year-old Ferrari power unit, is set to run for the first time on February 22, during a filming day at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
Sauber has not yet finalised its launch plans for its new car, which will be piloted by Marcus Ericsson and Mercedes protégé Pascal Wehrlein, who joins from Manor.
