Sauber didn't maximise its chances in 2015, says Kaltenborn

Recovering from a disastrous points-free 2014 campaign, Sauber finished this season eighth in the constructors’ championship on 36 points – nine clear of McLaren, but some way back from Toro Rosso.

Felipe Nasr delivered the Hinwil team’s best performance of the year on his Formula 1 debut as he finished fifth at Melbourne, with new recruit Marcus Ericsson making it a double points finish in eighth.

That however proved to be the high point, as Sauber only claimed a further 22 points across the remaining 18 races.

Asked by Motorsport.com if the team had done all it could considering its financial constraints, Kaltenborn admitted that Sauber could have achieved more, although she said she was relieved to move on from 2014.

"In principle, I would say I am happy because in many ways we come back to where we usually are [in the standings],” she said.

"But, I think there is more potential there which we have to utilise next year. So I’m not totally happy.”

Self criticism

As other midfield teams developed during the season, points-scoring opportunities became increasingly sparse for Sauber, but Kaltenborn still feels mistakes cost the team dear on occasion.

"I think that we have to be particularly self-critical; [to say] that here and there we could have done things differently," she added.

"I know the people work very hard, and so this not any criticism towards the team that is doing the work, because they have severe limitations.

"It is just that the overall outcome sometimes, wherever the mistake is made, shouldn’t happen, because that really ruins the chance that you have.”

Interview by Jonathan Noble