Sauber F1 Team Italian Grand Prix preview 01.09.2015: Italian Grand Prix at Monza Autodromo 12th Round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, 4th to

Italian Grand Prix at Monza Autodromo
12th Round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, 4th to 6th September 2015





The Italian Grand Prix is like a home race for the Sauber F1 Team as the Monza track is not far away from the Swiss border.


The race on the “Autodromo Nazionale” will be the last round of the 2015 FIA Formula One World Championship in Europe. The track, which is known for the highest speed on any straights in the season, should suit the Sauber C34-Ferrari.



Marcus Ericsson (car number 9):

“The race weekend in Monza is always a very special event due to the popularity of Formula 1 and the tifosi. There is always a thrilling atmosphere, and the Italians are really passionate about motorsport. The circuit is the fastest on the calendar, and I am curious about the top speed on the straights with the modified engine.


It is important to have a high straight-line speed, and to be fast through the chicanes. We need to find a compromise with the downforce level giving us a high straight-line speed, but also finding the right set-up for a stable car.”



Felipe Nasr (car number 12):

“Monza is an historic track. I know the circuit well from every series I have come through. It reminds me a lot of the time when I moved to Italy in 2009. Back then I lived just 40 minutes away from Monza. It is a unique circuit for me. The flow is really nice, with Parabolica being my favorite corner.


I am looking forward to driving the circuit again, and it will be my first time there in a Formula One car. The high-speed track should suit our car well. We need to find an efficient balance for being fast on the straights and not losing too much time in the corners.


A good braking stability, as well as traction for coming out of the chicanes, is important.”



Giampaolo Dall’Ara, Head of Track Engineering:

“The Monza circuit is known worldwide for the impressive speeds the cars reach on the straights, which are the highest of the season. At the same time, this historic facility features challenging corners of every kind, from low-speed chicanes to flowing bends, such as Lesmo and Parabolica.


The set-up has to take into account downforce levels more than anywhere else, so the engineers will target maximum mechanical grip with an accent on braking, traction and kerb riding. As for the tyre allocation, the medium and the soft are a way more sensible choice than the medium and hard we have had for years.


They will open up new scenarios and the show will benefit from such a choice.”




Circuit    Autodromo di Monza / 5.793 km

Race distance    53 laps / 306.720 km

Schedule    Qualifying 14:00 hrs, Race 14:00 hrs local time (14:00 hrs CEST)



Driver    Marcus Ericsson    Felipe Nasr

Born    02.09.1990 / Kumla (SE)    21.08.1992 / Brasilia (BR)
Marital status    Single    Single
Height / Weight    1,80 m / 70 kg    1,75 m / 68 kg
First GP    Australia 2014    Australia 2015
GP started    27    11
Best race result    8th Australia (2015)    5th Australia (2015)
Best qualifying    10th Malaysia (2015),
10th China (2015)    9th China (2015),
9th Austria (2015)
Points in total    7 (currently 17th)    16 (currently 13th)



The Sauber F1 Team has 23 points to its tally and currently holds 8th place in the Constructors’ Championship.




Robert Höpoltseder, Marleen Seilheimer,  photos Sauber