Sauber Grand Prix results facts for kids

Sauber is a famous Formula One racing team that has competed in the World Championship for many years. They are known for giving young drivers a chance to show their talent. This article looks at their journey in Formula One, from their first races to their best moments.

Sauber's Formula 1 Journey

Sauber joined Formula One in 1993. They were a new team from Switzerland, ready to take on the big names in racing. Over the years, they worked with different engine suppliers and drivers, always aiming to improve their performance on the track.

Starting Out: 1993-1999

In their first year, 1993, Sauber used Ilmor engines. Their drivers, Karl Wendlinger and JJ Lehto, helped the team score 12 points and finish 7th in the Constructors' Championship. This was a good start for a new team!

The next few years saw Sauber continue to learn and grow. They switched to Mercedes-Benz engines in 1994 and then to Ford engines in 1995 and 1996. During this time, drivers like Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Johnny Herbert scored important points and even achieved a podium finish (top 3) in Monaco.

From 1997 to 1999, Sauber used Petronas engines. They continued to be a solid midfield team. In 1998, Jean Alesi scored a fantastic 3rd place in the Belgian Grand Prix, helping Sauber finish 6th in the championship.

Growing Stronger: 2000-2005

The early 2000s were an exciting time for Sauber. They kept using Petronas engines and showed great potential. In 2001, they had a fantastic year, finishing 4th in the Constructors' Championship with 21 points! This was their best result yet as an independent team. Drivers Nick Heidfeld and a young Kimi Räikkönen (who later became a World Champion) were key to this success. Heidfeld even got a podium finish in Brazil.

In 2002, another future star, Felipe Massa, joined the team alongside Heidfeld. They helped Sauber finish 5th in the championship. The team continued to score points regularly in the following years, showing consistent performance.

The BMW Sauber Years: 2006-2009

In 2006, BMW bought a majority share in the Sauber team, and it became known as BMW Sauber. This partnership brought more resources and helped the team become even more competitive. They used BMW engines and Michelin tyres.

The BMW Sauber era was the most successful for the team. In 2007, they finished an amazing 2nd in the Constructors' Championship, scoring 101 points! This was a huge achievement. Drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica were consistently strong, with both drivers achieving multiple podium finishes.

The highlight came in 2008 when Robert Kubica won the Canadian Grand Prix! This was the team's first and only Formula One victory. They finished 3rd in the Constructors' Championship that year, showing they were a top team.

However, after the 2009 season, BMW decided to leave Formula One. The team went back to being just Sauber, still using BMW engines for that year, and finished 6th in the championship.

Back to Being Sauber: 2010 Onwards

From 2010, Sauber returned to being an independent team, using Ferrari engines. They continued to compete, giving opportunities to new talents like Kamui Kobayashi and Sergio Pérez. They finished 8th in 2010 and 6th in 2011, showing their resilience and ability to keep fighting for points.

Sauber has always been a team with a strong spirit, known for developing young drivers and achieving impressive results against bigger, wealthier teams. Their journey in Formula One is a great example of dedication and teamwork.

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Resultados de Sauber en Fórmula 1 para niños