They promised quick and quick was indeed delivered. The novel layout of the Bahrain International Circuit, the “Outer loop”, produced sub-minute laptimes and prompted drivers to jostle for position ahead of their flying laps – something we expect to play a major role in qualifying.

Times, however, were not at the front of anyone’s mind tonight. As always, on whatever track, Friday was about finding data and fine-tuning the set-up of the car for these most unique circumstances. Kimi and Antonio were able to run two full sessions without technical issues and the engineers are already debriefing, working hard to extract those extra last bits of performance that can make all the difference in qualifying.

Tomorrow’s session will be with us before we know it. On this Outer loop, it’s not just the laps that go quick.

Kimi Räikkönen (car number 7):
Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN C39 (Chassis 05/Ferrari)
1st practice: 14th / 0:55.783 (32 laps) / 2nd practice: 12th / 0:55.484 (54 laps)

“I didn’t have any particular expectations about this track before the weekend, but the important thing was to have two clean sessions and do our job with the car. The track itself is relatively simple, it has just two big corners although it is quite bumpy. Our approach to the weekend didn’t change, we will prepare for tomorrow’s qualifying in the usual way: hopefully we can make another step forward tonight and be competitive in the afternoon.”

Antonio Giovinazzi (car number 99):
Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN C39 (Chassis 04/Ferrari)
1st practice: 15th / 0:55.858 (35 laps) / 2nd practice: 13th / 0:55.533 (57 laps)

“I am pretty happy with the pace we showed today, especially in the longer runs. Tomorrow should be an interesting challenge, finding space will be important but we know everyone will also be looking for a tow. We will need to be smart and play our cards right. We know we are fighting to be in Q2 and we are confident we have a chance to be there, so let’s see what we can get tomorrow.”

Über die Sauber Motorsport AG

The Sauber Group of Companies is composed of three operational entities: Sauber Motorsport AG, which operates and manages the Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN Formula One team; Sauber Engineering AG, which focuses on prototype development and additive manufacturing; and Sauber Aerodynamik AG, which conducts full and model-scale testing in the factory’s state-of-the-art wind tunnel and creates ground-breaking innovations in the field of aerodynamics. The companies collaborate closely and share know-how to apply the expertise of more than 500 dedicated individuals at the headquarter in Hinwil, Switzerland, to all internal and external projects. Since its founding in 1970, the passion for racing has been at the heart of Sauber.

For the last 50 years, the innovative Swiss company has been setting standards in the design, development and construction of race cars for various championship series, such as Formula One, DTM, and WEC. Following its own Formula One debut in 1993, Sauber Motorsport AG has established one of the few traditional and privately held teams in the sport. After 25 years of competition in Formula One, the company launched a long-term partnership with Alfa Romeo in 2018 and enters the 2020 championship under the new team name Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN.

Firmenkontakt und Herausgeber der Meldung:

Sauber Motorsport AG
Wildbachstrasse 9
CH8340 Hinwil
Telefon: +41 (44) 93790-00
Telefax: +41 (44) 93790-01
http://www.sauberf1team.com

Ansprechpartner:
Will Ponissi
Senior Communications Manager
E-Mail: william.ponissi@sauber-group.com
Katharina Rees
Communications Manager
Telefon: +41 (79) 75752-85
E-Mail: katharina.rees@sauber-group.com
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