Sauber launched extra superior pitstop gear for this yr, however from the primary race in Bahrain, it has encountered cross-threading points on the wheel nuts, which led to disastrous pitstops over the primary few races.
The Swiss group made some modifications and altered procedures to mitigate its {hardware} points since Bahrain which has typically labored, however Sauber’s pitstops are nonetheless typically slower than its midfield rivals.
These issues have already proved immensely expensive within the tightest midfield battle in years, with Sauber’s Bottas and Zhou Guanyu nonetheless left with out factors whereas RB and Haas have already managed to get on the board.
Talking forward of this weekend’s Chinese language Grand Prix, Bottas mentioned the group is introducing additional modifications for the Shanghai race, however a everlasting repair remained unavailable.
“It is a tough scenario and we should not be on this scenario, however we’re and now we have to get it sorted,” Bottas mentioned.
“There are additional modifications for this weekend, nevertheless it’s not 100% fastened, so we all know it isn’t but our power for positive.
“If something, it may be our weak spot, however we’re attempting. Let’s hope that issues go easily now.”
Photograph by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
When requested when he expects a everlasting resolution to reach, he clarified: “By Imola.”
Sauber’s weak spot was on full show within the Japanese Grand Prix when Bottas pitted along with a gaggle of midfield automobiles on Lap 23.
Bottas got here in from eleventh place, behind Haas’ Kevin Magnussen however forward of a prepare together with Logan Sargeant, Yuki Tsunoda and Lance Stroll.
Bottas entered the pits in second place from the group however got here out in fourth behind Tsunoda and Stroll, and his slower cease additionally meant he was undercut by the struggling Alpine of Esteban Ocon.
Tsunoda, who got here out first, went on to assert some extent for RB on his dwelling turf, which Bottas felt might have been him as his Sauber had related tempo.
“We have been enhancing race by race, and that is as a result of we have been bringing bits,” the Finn defined.
“Within the final two occasions we have been, when it comes to tempo, similar to RB and Tsunoda.
“The problems we have been having, particularly with the pit stops, that is been masking fairly a bit what the precise race outcomes ought to have been.
“For instance, in Japan earlier than the primary stops, I used to be forward of Tsunoda and with related tempo, and he completed in tenth. So, I feel we’ve not actually seen the total potential but.
“We’re conscious that most probably if we cease similtaneously our opponents, we now have an even bigger probability of dropping the place.
“We’ll attempt to optimise for that, however hopefully that does not have to be the case. Hopefully, we’re getting that consistency and 100% repair in a few races.”
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