Analysis

Sauber and Williams could shine at Silverstone

Jul.3 (GMM) Williams and Sauber could be in the mix for victory at Silverstone this weekend.

Bruno Senna, Williams F1 Team and Kamui Kobayashi, Sauber F1 Team

Photo by: xpb.cc

It is believed the high average corner speeds at the British track will suit the Williams - after Pastor Maldonado won the team's first race in seven years on the similar Barcelona layout - and Sauber's tidy C31, which has been on the podium twice in 2012 so far.

"The pace of the car in Valencia was very promising and we have a number of updates expected for this race," said Maldonado.

And Peter Sauber told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport: "We should look good at Silverstone."

The German magazine said the Swiss team is "secretly hoping for its first Grand Prix victory" this weekend, after GPS measurements showed the C31 was the fastest car overall through the similar Circuit de Catalunya's sweeping curves in May.

Championship leader Fernando Alonso won at Valencia, becoming the only multiple race winner in 2012 and the clear championship leader.

But his Ferrari is not the best single seater this season.

The otherwise fast and consistent Lotus is expected to struggle with Northamptonshire's cooler temperatures this weekend.

McLaren, though, is quite confident. "The car should suit the circuit," said Jenson Button this week. "It is a bit random (in 2012) but I feel it should work."

Arguably with the best chance, however, is Red Bull, after Sebastian Vettel's utter dominance at Valencia recently was stopped only by a broken Renault alternator.

"The pace he had at the last race was ridiculous," said Lewis Hamilton. "20 seconds in 10 laps or something -- ridiculous," the Briton is quoted by the Guardian.