First Bottas, then Zhou: Sauber recently lost out on better positions due to poor pit stops – the search for a solution is in full swing
After both drivers were set back by pit stop problems in the first two races of the 2024 Formula 1 season, the Sauber team is working on a solution. First, Valtteri Bottas lost almost 50 seconds at the second stop in Bahrain due to a problem with the front left wheel nut
Then teammate Guanyu Zhou was hit in Saudi Arabia, where he lost around 25 seconds last weekend due to a similar problem.
The Chinese driver was one of only four drivers who did not stop when the safety car came out. And although he struggled with some cooling issues, he was well on his way to finishing eleventh as, like Nico Hülkenberg, he also benefited from Kevin Magnussen holding off the chasing pack.
In the end, it was only enough for the Sauber drivers to finish in the last two places. Bottas was 17th, Zhou finished 18th and last. Team spokesman Alessandro Alunni Bravi confirms that the team is working on solving the pit stop problem
Alunni Bravi: It’s not the crew’s fault
“First of all, it’s very important for me to say that it wasn’t the fault of our mechanics or the crew. They are doing a really good job,” emphasized the Italian when asked about the repeated tire change fiasco.
“We know that we have a problem, a problem that occurred in Bahrain on Valtteri’s car and this time on Zhou’s car. We have investigated it and are working to fix this problem as quickly as possible. And we are reworking the parts so that we don’t have it again in the next races.”
In order to achieve faster stops this year, the team had made changes that are now being reviewed. “We have new equipment, a new design of all the parts,” reveals Alunni Bravi. “Of course there are things to improve. “
“We are working with a 360-degree approach in all areas to complete a constant and fast pit stop, but also to have no problems. “
Sauber: Car has potential for points finishes
“This is crucial for us now, because we’ve had this problem in the last two races. But we can’t afford to have such problems during the race, because the car has the potential to finish in the points.”
Alunni Bravi knows: “Of course we lost this chance both in Bahrain and in Jeddah because of this. But we have investigated the problem and are working on it.”
This is the focus ahead of the next race in Australia. Xevi Pujolar, Race Director of the Sauber team, also emphasizes this. “I think it’s clear that we are not yet where we want to be,” he says. “And we still need to make some changes for Melbourne. Because we are too vulnerable, I would say.”
“Everything is fine with the crew and the mechanics, they are doing a reasonable job. But we had another problem. That’s why we have to investigate it now and find a solution for the next race to be more robust. “
