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Sauber C20

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Sauber C20
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorSauber
Designer(s)Sergio Rinland
PredecessorSauber C19
SuccessorSauber C21
Technical specifications
ChassisMoulded carbon fibre composite structure
Suspension (front)Double wishbones, pushrod
Suspension (rear)Double wishbones, pushrod
EnginePetronas 01A (Ferrari) 3.0 litres 90-degree V10 Normally aspirated mid mounted
TransmissionSauber seven-speed longitudinal semi-automatic
FuelPetronas
TyresBridgestone
Competition history
Notable entrantsRed Bull Sauber Petronas
Notable drivers16. Germany Nick Heidfeld
17. Finland Kimi Räikkönen
Debut2001 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
17000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

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 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.

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 third place in the Brazilian Grand Prix and scored points on six other occasions.[3]

Constructors' World Championship

The C20 turned out to be one of Sauber's most competitive chassis, providing the team with a points total of 21 and fourth place in the Constructors' World Championship standings.

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 Red Bull Sauber Petronas 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 Ret 7 Ret Ret

References

  1. ^ http://forix.autosport.com/engine.php?l=0&r=2001000116&c=0 (subscription required)
  2. ^ http://forix.autosport.com/cmake.php?l=0&r=1993000129&c=51&rst=1021 (subscription required)
  3. ^ http://forix.autosport.com/cp.php?l=0&r=2001&c=30 (subscription required)
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