Saubers, Back?

After a great performance in France, a Sauber fan like me must wonder, "Are they back?"

Of course one might ask, back from? Their slumber of course!! After last year's successful end of season charge, I was hoping they would continue to make big strides this year, sad enough, the rule changes implemented by FIA was abit too harsh on small budget priveteer teams like Sauber PETRONAS(notice how I bold the word Petronas?? That's because of that logo I'm supporting Sauber). The big teams were able to flash big bugs in research and developement, building parts such as suspension, bodyworks, for fun, coupled with a wind tunnel working 24/7, to adapt and build fast cars. Look at what money did to teams like McLarens, Renault, Ferraris, BAR(this cheating team, but serves them well, points taken away mid season). The only exception is Williams BMW, suffering from internal strife.

I'm sure all Sauber fans out there was bemused by the lack of pace shown by Filipe Massa and Jacques Villeneuve. No doubt they were all fired up after a switch to Michelin from Bridgestones(tyres), hiring a former champion in Jacques Villeneuve, and a very advance CFD system together with an under-utilized wind tunnel. The first few races were far from impressive! A turnaround was expected somewhere around now and BANG ON TARGET! They started to show pace! Much was down to the sudden anouncement of BMW buying out Sauber thus injecting much much more money into this team(Not that I'm understating the existing engineers or what, I'm sure the current speed is due to their work that couldn't be implemented sooner because of the lack of funds).

Was reading a forum in Jacques Villeneuve's site when they were discussing how much this buyout will effect Sauber's performance for the final 3rd of the season. I'm pretty much looking forward to what this mini team can do with big budget, and how they will perform next year under the brand BMW. What more, the new takeover triggered speculations regarding driver's future. It is seen Nick heidfeld(Williams), is a favourite of BMW and would likely follow suite to Team BMW next year, leaving Button free to the vacant seat at Williams, which again might not materialize due to BAR's improving performace, and thus needing one of the current Sauber drivers to leave the team. Of course it's mere speculation, but all this should be fun to follow up.

I've started to visit the Sauber's forum again lately. The huge spike in fans flooding into the forum at the beginning of the year was suppose to be somewhat of a welcome note, but sad to say, the arrival of certain bashers, some critical comments by both existing fans and new fans sparked war that disgusted me. Anyhow, Peace...better not be pissed.