Sauber C23

Last updated
Sauber C23
Sauber usgp 2004.jpg
Giancarlo Fisichella driving the Sauber C23 at the 2004 United States Grand Prix.
Category Formula One
Constructor Sauber
Designer(s) Willy Rampf (Technical Director)
Jacky Eeckelaert (Engineering Director)
Christoph Zimmermann (Head of Chassis Design)
Phil Arnaboldi (Head of Car Concept)
Seamus Mullarkey (Head of Aerodynamics)
Dirk de Beer (Principal Aerodynamicist)
Predecessor Sauber C22
Successor Sauber C24
Technical specifications
Chassis carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)Upper and lower wishbones, inboard springs and dampers actuated by pushrods
Suspension (rear)Upper and lower wishbones, inboard springs and dampers actuated by pushrods
Engine Petronas 04A (Ferrari Tipo 053 [1] ) 3.0 litre 90 degree V10 naturally aspirated mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission Ferrari 7-speed longitudinally mounted gearbox AP carbon clutch
Fuel Petronas Primax
Lubricants Petronas Syntium
Tyres Bridgestone Potenza (January-October 2004) later Michelin (post-season testings only in November-December 2004)
Competition history
Notable entrants Sauber Petronas
Notable drivers11. Flag of Italy.svg Giancarlo Fisichella
12. Flag of Brazil.svg Felipe Massa
Debut 2004 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWins Poles F/Laps
18000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Sauber C23 was a Formula One racing car designed by Sauber for the 2004 Formula One season.

Contents

The C23 was driven by Giancarlo Fisichella, who left his previous team Jordan to join Sauber. Felipe Massa, who was a regular driver for Sauber in 2002, returned to Sauber after spending a year as a test driver for Ferrari. Neel Jani was the team's test driver.

Overview

The car was a direct evolution of the Sauber C22. For this purpose, Ferrari's car from the previous year, the Ferrari F2003-GA, was used as a model. In terms of design, care was taken to make the car lighter and more test than last year's car. For the first time, the Sauber car was equipped with the same Ferrari engine type as Ferrari itself and not, as before, with the respective previous year's engine. The engine was designated the Petronas 04A. The fuel also came from Petronas and the car raced with Bridgestone tyres.

The Sauber C23 was unveiled on January 12 in Salzburg at Hangar-7, Red Bull's owned aircraft hangar, to mark the 10th anniversary of Red Bull's sponsorship. [2]

Racing history

Giancarlo Fisichella scored the most championship points with 22 with a best finish of 4th place at the Canadian Grand Prix while Felipe Massa scored 12 points also with a best finish of 4th place at the Belgian Grand Prix. The team scored 34 points overall and 6th place in the Constructors' Championship.

Sponsorship and livery

Sauber went into 2004 with sponsorship continuity. The livery closely resembles Sauber's previous car, the C22 with the removal of computer software company TEMENOS. This was the last Sauber car featuring sponsorship from Red Bull, before Red Bull's departure to Red Bull Racing in 2005. The following season, Credit Suisse serves as a major sponsor.

Complete Formula One results

(key)

YearTeamEngineTyresDrivers123456789101112131415161718PointsWCC
2004 Sauber Petronas Petronas V10* B AUS MAL BHR SMR ESP MON EUR CAN USA FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA CHN JPN BRA 346th
Flag of Italy.svg Giancarlo Fisichella 10111197Ret649†1269858789
Flag of Brazil.svg Felipe Massa Ret81210959RetRet13913Ret412898

* Denotes Ferrari engine badged as Petronas.

References

  1. ↑ "Atlas F1 Magazine: Rear View Mirror". www.atlasf1.com. Retrieved 2025-05-20.
  2. ↑ "Sauber launches C23 in Salzburg". Motorsport.com. Retrieved 28 September 2022.
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