By Jamie Makin
July 2 2005

Team SAUBER PETRONAS sat out the United States Grand Prix along with the other Michelin team but is now ready to return to racing at this weekend's French Grand Prix. The Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours has never been one of SAUBER'S best. Although Jean Alesi recorded their best qualifying ever with a second place start in 1999, the team has consistently found themselves in the lower half of the grid. Their average finishing position here is also well outside of the points.

Technical Director Willy Rampf explains the challenges of the French circuit. "After the two North American races with medium downforce levels, Magny-Cours brings us back to the high downforce tracks. Overall it is an interesting circuit from a technical point of view. It offers a combination of low speed corners, where traction and rear tyre degradation are the main issues to consider, and high speed corners where car balance can make the difference. The track temperatures can change a lot during the day and exert an influence on grip and balance. The evaluation of the tyre degradation will be crucial to define the best race strategy. To find, in a handful of laps, on Friday a good set-up that minimises the tyre degradation is challenging for both the drivers and engineers. As for the public, one interesting overtaking spot to watch is the Adelaide hairpin at the end of the back straight, where the drivers are braking from 320 kmh to 50 kmh in about 3 seconds."

SAUBER PETRONAS - Prior Results at Magny-Cours, France:

• Starts: 24 (1993 - 2004)
• Finishes: 13 (59.1 %)
• Best Finish: 4th, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, 1994
• Average Finish: 10.3
• Best Qualifying: 2nd, Jean Alesi, 1999
• Average Qualifying: 12.9