Sauber C20

Sauber C20

Category	Formula One
Constructor	Sauber
Designer(s)	Sergio Rinland
Technical specifications
Chassis	Moulded carbon fibre composite structure
Suspension (front)	Double wishbones, pushrod
Suspension (rear)	Double wishbones, pushrod
Engine	Petronas 01A (Ferrari) 3.0 litres 90-degree V10 Normally aspirated mid mounted
Transmission	Sauber seven-speed longitudinal semi-automatic
Fuel	Petronas
Tyres	Bridgestone
Competition history
Notable entrants	Sauber
Notable drivers	16. Nick Heidfeld 17. Kimi Räikkönen
Debut	2001 Australian Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles F/Laps 17 0 0 0
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

The Sauber C20 was the car with which the Sauber Formula One team competed in the 2001 Formula One season. It was powered by a Petronas-branded '01A' 3.0-litre V10 [1], supplied by Scuderia Ferrari. The C20 was notable not only for its eventual position in the Constructors' World Championship (see below), but also for a new type of front suspension mounting: the "twin keel".

The twin keel

The effect of airflow underneath the nose had first become apparent in the early 1990s. By the end of the decade, most teams had settled for a design where both lower front suspension arms were mounted from a single longitudinal “keel” running underneath the nose. For 2001, the FIA introduced a regulation lifting the sides of the front wing by 50mm, in order to reduce downforce and cut cornering speeds.

Sauber had introduced separate pylons for each of the front suspension mounts on their previous car, the C19. For the C20, the area between the front and back mounting points on each side was filled in, creating two longitudinal keels running underneath the sides of the nose.

Among rival teams, opinion was divided. Some teams - such as McLaren, Jordan and Arrows - adopted the idea, while others - notably Renault and Ferrari - declined, citing potential issues with weight, structural rigidity and crash worthiness.

In the 2005 season McLaren developed a "zero-keel" layout in which the lower wishbones are raised and mounted directly to the nose. This restricts suspension geometry to some degree, but provides aerodynamic benefits. It has since been adopted by a number of other teams and the twin keel layout has since fallen out of favour.

Drivers

In contrast to the previous season's experienced pairing of Mika Salo and Pedro Diniz, Peter Sauber signed Germany's Nick Heidfeld and Finnish rookie Kimi Räikkönen. His lack of experience prompted some drivers and FIA officials, including Max Mosley, to question the wisdom of this decision. Heidfeld had made his debut with Prost Grand Prix in 2000, but Räikkönen was a 21-year old whose only previous single-seater formula experience amounted to one and a half seasons in British Formula Renault from 1999 to 2000, albeit culminating in a title win.

However, the young Finn's performances belied his age and lack of experience, with a point-scoring finish on his debut and a further four points-scoring finishes throughout the year. Heidfeld achieved a podium (one of six in Sauber's history)[2] with 3rd place in the Brazilian Grand Prix and scored points on six other occasions.[3]

Constructors' World Championship

The C20 turned out to be arguably Sauber's most competitive chassis, providing Sauber with a points total of 21 and 4th place in the Constructors' World Championship standings. Sauber never equalled this result, though it came close in 2002, with 5th place.

Finishing record

The C20 suffered a number of DNFs (Did Not Finish), with six mechanical failures, six driver-related incidents and one DNS (Did Not Start). They break down thus:[4]

• Three driveshaft failures.
• One steering failure.
• One transmission failure.
• One suspension failure.
• One DNS.
• Three spins.
• Three collisions.

The C20 achieved 11 points finishes and 10 non-scoring finishes from 33 starts.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year	Team	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	Points	WCC
2001	Sauber	Petronas V10	B		AUS	MAL	BRA	SMR	ESP	AUT	MON	CAN	EUR	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	USA	JPN	21	4th
				Nick Heidfeld	4	Ret	3	7	6	9	Ret	Ret	Ret	6	6	Ret	6	Ret	11	6	9
				Kimi Räikkönen	6	Ret	Ret	Ret	8	4	10	4	10	7	5	Ret	7	DNS	7	Ret	Ret