SAUBER C24 Petronas (Ferrari)

   Since 2005, the Swiss team Sauber has gradually acquired a new dimension and a kind of independence, almost marking a new phase in its long and varied life. For the first time in its history, Sauber was finally able to make full use, starting from the winter, of its state-of-the-art wind tunnel, which in the previous season had only been used during the second half of the championship to further develop the Sauber C23, with excellent results. Peter Sauber’s team retained the entire technical staff working at its headquarters in Hinwil, Switzerland, near Zurich, to design the new C24. German engineer Willy Rampf from Düsseldorf remained as Technical Director, Belgian Jacky Eeckelaert continued as Engineering Director, while German Christoph Zimmermann was still Head of Chassis Design, and Phil Arnaboldi held the role of Head of Car Concept. Due to restrictions introduced by the new technical regulations, which particularly affected single-seater aerodynamics, great care was devoted to this area, with the heaviest workload falling on the two aerodynamic engineers, Seamus Mullarkey (Head of Aerodynamics) and Dirk de Beer (Principal Aerodynamicist).

SAUBER C24, Jacques Villeneuve
Shanghai, Chinese GP 2005

   The new C24 appeared very well designed aerodynamically, with a sinuous yet linear shape aimed at compensating for the loss of downforce caused by the mandatory wing modifications. Specifically, regarding the front end, the Swiss designers attempted to recover this loss by introducing a twin-profile structure mounted above the main support, which, however, was abandoned at the end of pre-season testing. As for the sidepods, significant work was done to improve the junction between the chassis and the bodywork: the air intakes were smaller and higher, while the sidepods were more tapered than those of the 2004 car, and featured, to increase downforce, a small wing profile and a fin partially covering the rear wheel. On the surface, small slits could also be noticed, suggesting the possibility of installing chimney-style air intakes in different positions. The exhausts were positioned relatively far forward and enclosed in small fairings. This allowed for a sudden lowering of the sidepods, improving airflow toward the rear wing, although the true secret likely lay in the internal arrangement of the radiators, which had already drawn considerable interest in the paddock.

SAUBER C24, Felipe Massa
Melbourne, Australian GP 2005

   As per tradition, Sauber used a Ferrari engine, which after the 2004 season reverted to the specification employed by the Maranello team the previous year. The Italian V10, despite new restrictions requiring teams to use the same engine for two consecutive race weekends, effectively doubling its lifespan, was the Tipo 053, renamed Petronas 05A for sponsorship reasons. It could produce around 850 hp at 18,500 rpm, detuned compared to Ferrari’s own unit to avoid costly failures. Regarding the gearbox, the Swiss team chose in 2005 to abandon Ferrari’s transmission system, used until then, and instead designed its own seven-speed longitudinal sequential gearbox with carbon clutch. This not only reduced costs but also practically reaffirmed a measure of independence from Ferrari, as Peter Sauber had always claimed. It was also seen as a step toward possible future disengagement from Ferrari for engine supply.

SAUBER C24, Jacques Villeneuve
Interlagos, Brazilian GP 2005 

   The livery of the new C24 changed slightly after the end of the nine-year partnership with Red Bull, though the car remained blue with the characteristic turquoise highlights of main sponsor Petronas and the white of Credit Suisse. The team also switched tire suppliers from Bridgestone to Michelin. At Petronas’s request, the Sauber C24 was initially scheduled to be launched in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on January 11, 2005, to celebrate Petronas’s tenth anniversary, but the presentation was canceled due to the devastating Asian tsunami at the end of 2004. The Swiss squad thus unveiled the car only at the first winter tests, with confirmed Brazilian driver Felipe Massa joined by Canadian World Champion Jacques Villeneuve. For the first time in its history, Sauber fielded no European drivers and did not have a third driver in the lineup.

SAUBER C24, Jacques Villeneuve
Monza, Italian GP 2005

   At the start of the season, the C24 did not prove very competitive, with its best results being two fourth places, Villeneuve in San Marino and Massa in Canada. The disappointing season ended with the Swiss team eighth in the standings, scoring just 20 points. The 2005 campaign marked Sauber’s final year as an independent constructor, as BMW acquired a majority stake in 2006. Peter Sauber would later regain full ownership of the team in 2010, after the German manufacturer’s withdrawal. A C24B variant, fitted with the BMW P86 V8 engine, was used in early testing between 2005 and 2006, driven by Nick Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve.