Sauber C12
Sauber C12
Karl Wendlinger driving the C12 at Silverstone.
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorSauber
Designer(s)Harvey Postlethwaite (Technical Director)
Leo Ress (Chief Designer)
Mario Illien (Chief Engine Designer)
SuccessorSauber C13
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisCarbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)Double wishbones, pushrod
Suspension (rear)Double wishbones, pushrod
Axle trackFront: 1,690 mm (67 in)
Rear: 1,610 mm (63 in)
Wheelbase2,930 mm (115 in)
EngineSauber (Ilmor) 2175A, 3,496 cc (213.3 cu in), 75° V10, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionSauber / XTrac T 6-speed semi-automatic
Weight505 kg (1,113 lb)
FuelElf
LubricantsLiqui Moly
TyresGoodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsTeam Sauber Formula 1
Notable drivers29. Austria Karl Wendlinger
30. Finland JJ Lehto
Debut1993 South African Grand Prix
Last event1993 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
16000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Sauber C12 was the car with which the Sauber Formula One team made its FIA Formula One World Championship debut in 1993. Its design was led by Leo Ress.

Engine

Power was provided by a Sauber-branded 3.5-litre V10 built by Ilmor in partnership with Mercedes. The C12 was given the prominence of "Concept by Mercedes-Benz" stickers on the engine cowling due to the two parties' close relationship from their World Sportscar Championship program. The engines were re-branded in 1994 to reflect the partnership.[2][3]

Drivers

Karl Wendlinger was re-united with his former WSC team in preparation for its Grand Prix debut. He already had two seasons of Formula One experience, having made his debut in the 1991 Japanese Grand Prix with Leyton House, while JJ Lehto (Jyrki Järvilehto) had started 38 Grands Prix (not including failures to qualify) between 1989 and 1992.

Racing history

Lehto contributed to a promising start with a 5th-place finish in the South African GP at Kyalami and improved on that with a 4th place classification at Imola, home of the San Marino GP, despite an engine problem.[4]

The C12 had a somewhat mixed record with a total of 12 DNFs due to mechanical failure, including seven engine failures (not including Imola, where Lehto was classified as a finisher). Driver-related incidents accounted for six more DNFs.

The C12 achieved six points finishes and eight non-scoring finishes from 32 starts. It achieved a points total of 12 and 7th place in the Constructors' World Championship standings.

It was replaced at the start of the 1994 season by the Sauber C13.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Points WCC
1993 Team Sauber Formula 1 Sauber[5]V10 G RSA BRA EUR SMR ESP MON CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR JPN AUS 12 7th
Austria Karl Wendlinger Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 13 6 Ret Ret 9 6 Ret 4 5 Ret 15
Finland JJ Lehto 5 Ret Ret 4 Ret Ret 7 Ret 8 Ret Ret 9 Ret 7 8 Ret

References

  1. ↑ "Sauber C12 • STATS F1". Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  2. ↑ "Sauber - Entrant". forix.autosport.com. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  3. ↑ Cooper, Adam (14 March 2023). "Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise". Autosport. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
  4. ↑ "Participations • Sauber C12". forix.autosport.com. Retrieved 15 December 2021.
  5. ↑ "Engine Sauber • STATS F1". Retrieved 15 December 2021.
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