Kick Sauber C44

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Kick Sauber C44
2024-08-24 Motorsport, Formel 1, Grosser Preis der Niederlande 2024 STP 3314 by Stepro.jpg
Zhou Guanyu driving a C44 during the Dutch Grand Prix
Category Formula One
Constructor Kick Sauber
Designer(s) James Key (Technical Director) [1]
Eric Gandelin (Chief Designer)
Lucia Conconi (Head of Vehicle Performance)
Alessandro Cinelli (Head of Aerodynamics)
Franck Sanchez (Chief Aerodynamicist)
Predecessor Alfa Romeo C43
Technical specifications
Suspension (front)Carbon fibre double wishbone, pullrod-activated inboard torsion springs, rockers and Öhlins damper units
Suspension (rear)Carbon fibre double wishbone, pushrod-activated inboard torsion springs, rockers and Öhlins damper units
Engine Ferrari 066/12
1.6 L (98 cu in) direct injection V6 turbocharged engine limited to 15,000 rpm in a mid-mounted, rear-wheel drive layout 1.6 L (98 cu in) V6 (90°) turbocharged, 15,000 rpm limited mid-mounted.
Electric motor Ferrari Kinetic and thermal energy recovery systems
Transmission Sauber carbon fibre maincase with Ferrari cassette containing eight forward speeds and one reverse 8-speed + 1 reverse sequential seamless semi-automatic paddle shift
BatteryLithium-ion battery
Weight798 kg (1,759 lb)
FuelZero Petroleum
Brakes Ventilated carbon Brembo brake discs and pads with an electronically controlled hydraulic system for the rear brakes (Brake by Wire). Brembo monobloc calipers in nickel-plated aluminium alloy. Brembo tandem brake master cylinder
Tyres Pirelli P Zero (dry)
Pirelli Cinturato (wet)
Clutch Carbon Composite
Competition history
Notable entrants Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber
Notable drivers
Debut 2024 Bahrain Grand Prix
Last event 2024 Singapore Grand Prix
RacesWins Podiums Poles F/Laps
180000

The Kick Sauber C44 is a Formula One car designed and constructed by Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber to compete in the 2024 Formula One World Championship. The car is driven by Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu, both in their third year at the team. Although featuring significant design differences to its predecessor, the Alfa Romeo C43, the C44 has exhibited consistently poor performance.

Contents

Background

Development context

It is the first car to be fielded by Kick Sauber since the end of their partnership with Alfa Romeo in 2023.

The C44's design began under Jan Monchaux, but he was replaced by James Key in August 2023. [2]

Initial design

Key said the C44 was "virtually a completely new car", sharing only some areas at its rear with its predecessor, the Alfa Romeo C43. [3] As with its predecessors, the C44 uses a Ferrari power unit and transmission, with the latter housed in a Sauber-designed and -manufactured casing. [2]

At launch, the C44 exhibited a shift towards Red Bull's design philosophy, featuring pull-rod front suspension (a design also used by McLaren, where it was introduced by Key on the MCL36), [4] a downwards-sloping sidepod, and squared off radiator inlets. [2] [5] Regulation changes regarding roll hoops led Sauber to adopt the conventional A-shaped design, one that had not previously used. [2] [6]

Livery

The departure of Alfa Romeo as a title sponsor and the adoption of Stake and Kick led to a new fluorescent green and black livery. [7] [3]

Competition and development history

Pre-season

The C44 was run for a filming day at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya before the official pre-season test at Bahrain International Circuit. [7]

Opening rounds

Bottas and Zhou on the grid during Sprint race of the Chinese Grand Prix Bottas & Zhou on the grid - Sprint race, Chinese GP 2024.jpg
Bottas and Zhou on the grid during Sprint race of the Chinese Grand Prix

A new front wing was introduced to the C44 at the Australian Grand Prix. [8]

At the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Sauber introduced a new floor that was both lighter and featured longer fences, with the goal of increasing downforce generated by the ground effect. [9]

Mid-season rounds

A new rear wing was introduced at the Monaco Grand Prix. [9]

Sauber introduced new rear and beam wings for the Canadian Grand Prix, the former a refined version of that introduced in Monaco. [10]

Zhou reverted to an early-season chassis for the Spanish Grand Prix, although the team was uncertain if his issues were related to a defect with the chassis or if its upgrades were underperforming. [11]

Assessment and characteristics

The C44 exhibited poor tyre management early in the season, struggling to efficiently heat them in both qualifying and race settings. [12] When asked if the car struggled from a lack of rear-end grip, Zhou replied "It is everywhere, to be honest, just four-wheel sliding [...] we are just lacking grip." [13]

Audi, who purchased Sauber to transition it into its own Formula One team in 2026, said the C44's performance was unacceptably poor. [14]

Complete Formula One results

Key
Key
ColourResult
GoldWinner
SilverSecond place
BronzeThird place
GreenOther points position
BlueOther classified position
Not classified, finished (NC)
PurpleNot classified, retired (Ret)
RedDid not qualify (DNQ)
BlackDisqualified (DSQ)
WhiteDid not start (DNS)
Race cancelled (C)
BlankDid not practice (DNP)
Excluded (EX)
Did not arrive (DNA)
Withdrawn (WD)
Did not enter (empty cell)
AnnotationMeaning
P Pole position
F Fastest lap
Superscript
number		Points-scoring position
in sprint
YearEntrantEngineTyresDriversGrands PrixPointsWCC
BHR SAU AUS JPN CHN MIA EMI MON CAN ESP AUT GBR HUN BEL NED ITA AZE SIN USA MXC SAP LVG QAT ABU
2024 Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber Ferrari
066/12
1.6 V6 t 		P Flag of Finland.svg Valtteri Bottas 19171414Ret161813131616151615191616160* 10th*
Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg Zhou Guanyu 111815Ret141415161513171819Ret20181415
Source:

* Season still in progress.

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References

  1. ↑ "Key to lead Sauber into Audi era in technical director role". autosport.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Hughes, Mark (6 February 2024). "How Kick Sauber's C44 moves towards a Red Bull philosophy". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. Archived from the original on 5 July 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  3. 1 2 Mitchell-Malm, Scott (5 February 2024). "Sauber reveals 2024 F1 car with striking new Stake livery". The Race. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  4. ↑ Anderson, Gary (5 February 2024). "Gary Anderson on 2024 Sauber + where it must convince Audi". The Race. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  5. ↑ Somerfield, Matt (6 February 2024). "Can Sauber's new-look F1 challenger keep it off the back row?". Motorsport.com . Motorsport Network. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  6. ↑ Filisetti, Paolo (6 February 2024). "Stake Sauber drawing on Red Bull RB19 lessons with new C44". RacingNews365. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  7. 1 2 Cooper, Adam (6 February 2024). "Sauber F1 team reveals dramatic new look on C44". Motorsport.com . Motorsport Network. Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  8. ↑ Hughes, Mark; Piola, Giorgio (26 March 2024). "How Ferrari, Aston Martin and Kick Sauber initiated the 2024 development race in Australia". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  9. 1 2 Hughes, Mark; Piola, Giorgio (4 June 2024). "Why Kick Sauber's upgrades could show their full potential in Canada" . Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. Archived from the original on 26 August 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  10. ↑ Somerfield, Matt; Piola, Giorgio (8 June 2024). "F1 Canadian GP: New updates from Mercedes, Red Bull explained". Motorsport.com . Motorsport Network . Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  11. ↑ Kalinauckas, Alex (20 June 2024). "Zhou returns to early 2024 Sauber F1 chassis, hopes it cures recent struggles". Motorsport.com . Motorsport Network . Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  12. ↑ Cooper, Adam (13 March 2024). "Bottas: Struggling Sauber F1 team needed Jeddah "wake-up call"". Motorsport.com . Motorsport Network. Archived from the original on 23 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  13. ↑ Gale, Ewan (14 June 2024). "Bottas: Sauber fix for F1 struggles "not rocket science"". Motorsport.com . Motorsport Network. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  14. ↑ Noble, Jonathan (1 September 2024). "Audi admits it "cannot accept" Sauber's current F1 performances". Motorsport.com . Motorsport Network. Archived from the original on 9 September 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
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