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Category | Formula One | ||||||||||
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Constructor | Sauber | ||||||||||
Designer(s) | Matt Morris (Chief Designer) | ||||||||||
Predecessor | Sauber C31 | ||||||||||
Successor | Sauber C33 | ||||||||||
Technical specifications | |||||||||||
Chassis | Moulded carbon fibre composite monocoque incorporating front and side impact structures | ||||||||||
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 pullrods | ||||||||||
Engine | Ferrari Type 056 2.4 L (146 cu in) V8 (90°). Naturally aspirated, 18,000 RPM limited with KERS, mid-mounted. | ||||||||||
Transmission | Ferrari 7-speed quick-shift carbon gearbox, longitudinally mounted, carbon-fibre clutch | ||||||||||
Weight | 642 kg (1,415 lb) (including driver) | ||||||||||
Tyres | Pirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet) | ||||||||||
Competition history | |||||||||||
Notable entrants | Sauber F1 Team | ||||||||||
Notable drivers | 11. ![]() 12. ![]() |
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Debut | 2013 Australian Grand Prix | ||||||||||
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The Sauber C32 was a Formula One racing car designed and built by the Sauber team for use in the 2013 Formula One season. It was driven by Esteban Gutiérrez in his Formula One debut alongside Nico Hülkenberg, who joined the team after racing for Force India in 2012. The car was launched on 2 February 2013.
The Sauber C32 features distinct narrow sidepods which, according to designer Matt Morris, were inspired by former driver Sergio Pérez's crash at the 2011 Monaco Grand Prix. Pérez hit the barrier at the Nouvelle Chicane side-on, crushing the right-hand sidepod, which led to the team investigating whether it would be possible to incorporate narrow sidepods into a future design. This proved to be much harder than first anticipated, as the internal workings of the car had to be completely reconfigured to accommodate the slimmer design.
In comparison to its predecessor, the Sauber C31, the C32 features a lower nose design. The stepped nose concept used throughout 2012 was abandoned, and the nose was modeled to give it smooth profile. The air vent positioned forward of the cockpit in 2012 was retained.
In his first race for Sauber, the Australian Grand Prix, Hülkenberg qualified in eleventh position but could not take the start due to a leak in his C32's fuel system. Esteban Gutiérrez, in his first career Grand Prix, qualified in 18th place and finished in 13th position, the highest-placed rookie. Hülkenberg achieved the team's first points of the season at the Malaysian Grand Prix, as he finished the race eighth, while Gutiérrez finished outside of the points in twelfth.
In the fifth race of the year, the Spanish Grand Prix, both drivers progressed into Q2. Hülkenberg started from 15th on the grid and finished in the same position, while Gutiérrez qualified 16th, but a penalty demoted him to 19th on the grid and he finished the race in eleventh place, but the Mexican recorded the fastest lap with a time of 1:26.217 and a speed average of 194.370 km/h (120.776 mph).