The Sauber F1 team is travelling to Barcelona with a positive mindset and upgrades

Hinwil, 4th May 2015 – The Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona sees the European Formula One season kick off. The fifth round of the the FIA Formula One World Championship will take place from the 8th to 10th May 2015 on the Circuit de Catalunya. During the previous four overseas races the Sauber F1 Team put in a solid performance. Therefore, the Swiss team and its drivers Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson are travelling to Barcelona with a positive mindset. Both Sauber C34-Ferrari will come with aerodynamic upgrades.

Test and reserve driver Raffaele Marciello will be called into action for the second time this season for FP1 on Friday. Regular driver Marcus Ericsson will take over from the second practice session on. After the Spanish Grand Prix, the first two days of in-season testing will take place from the 12th to 13th May on the Circuit de Catalunya. Ericsson will be at the wheel of the Sauber C34-Ferrari on Tuesday, while Marciello will drive the car on Wednesday.

Marcus Ericsson (car number 9): “It is nice coming back to Barcelona, a track we know quite well from testing. The track is quite demanding for the tyres, especially for the left front tyre and mainly because of turn three, which is a long, right-hand bend. Normally with the warmer temperatures in Barcelona, I assume the tyre degradation will be quite high. Thus, it will be crucial to find a set-up on which we are able to set good lap times, as well as having good tyre management. These are two facts we need to focus on during the weekend building up to the race.”

Felipe Nasr (car number 12): “I am looking forward to our first race in Europe. I know the track in Barcelona quite well from many of the series I have raced in. It is a technical track, which requires a good downforce due to its high-speed corners, as well as strong traction because of its slow-speed corners in the last sector. These are the two main factors for a good lap time. We have to maximise everything we have and take every opportunity to fight again for points.”

Sauber F1 Team