BMW-Sauber launches its new C29 from Valencia!
BMW-Sauber today became the third Formula 1 team (excluding Mercedes GP) to unveil its new car for the 2010 season this Sunday from the Valencia circuit in Spain. The car, the C29, will be powered by Ferrari this season. It is the Swiss team’s first car since BMW’s withdrawal at the end of 2009. Peter […]

BMW-Sauber today became the third Formula 1 team (excluding Mercedes GP) to unveil its new car for the 2010 season this Sunday from the Valencia circuit in Spain. The car, the C29, will be powered by Ferrari this season. It is the Swiss team’s first car since BMW’s withdrawal at the end of 2009.
Peter Sauber, who had sold his team to BMW in 2005, is once again in charge of the team based in Hinwil after the withdrawal of the German car manufacturer. The team’s spot on the grid for 2010 had been in doubt before Sauber regained control of the team and Toyota confirmed its withdrawal from the sport, thus opening up a new slot for the Swiss team.
No team name change is planned before the start of the season. Sauber stated during this launch that there were no plans to change the name due, among other reasons, to the Concorde Agreements: « There is no change planned before the start of the season. We entered F1 in 2010 with the name BMW Sauber, and that’s the real name. »
The new C29, which features a shark fin similar to the one used by McLaren on its new car, will be driven by Pedro de la Rosa and Kamui Kobayashi.
« The last few months have been very intense for us, » continued Sauber. « First, we had to fight to ensure the survival of the team, and then we focused on setting up a strong package for the future. The technical preparations for the 2010 car continued without interruption and according to the plans from spring 2009, despite all the upheavals. »
Pedro has worked at the highest level for many years with a top team. We will be able to benefit from this experience. Young Kamui also has a lot to offer us, and last year, he impressed me, particularly in Abu Dhabi.
The Sauber car retains the colors used during the BMW era, but with more white spaces due to the lack of sponsors.
De la Rosa returns to competition after seven years as a test driver for McLaren: « I can finally feel the pleasure of being a racing driver. I really missed the competition. At the same time, I learned a lot technically speaking and now I want to use that knowledge with Sauber. »
Kobayashi, who made his F1 debut last year with Toyota, added: « I am very proud that Peter Sauber trusts me and I am determined not to disappoint him. My goal is to make him as proud as I am. »
BMW-Sauber will begin testing the C29 tomorrow during the first winter tests at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia. Technical director Willy Rampf stated that the car was designed using the experience gained last year when the team was struggling to achieve performance.
« The development of the BMW-Sauber C29 saw the team rely on the experience gained last year, particularly with an increase in performance in the last third of the season, » stated Rampf. However, the new regulations prohibit refueling during the race. The tires will be different, and all of this has impacted the car’s design. »
The photos of the new C29 will be available very soon.