Sauber C12

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.

Sauber C12

Karl Wendlinger driving the C12 at Silverstone.
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Sauber
Designer(s)	Harvey Postlethwaite (Technical Director) Leo Ress (Chief Designer) Mario Illien (Chief Engine Designer)
Successor	Sauber C13
Technical specifications[1]
Chassis	Carbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)	Double wishbones, pushrod
Suspension (rear)	Double wishbones, pushrod
Axle track	Front: 1,690 mm (67 in) Rear: 1,610 mm (63 in)
Wheelbase	2,930 mm (115 in)
Engine	Ilmor 2175A, 3,496 cc (213.3 cu in), 75° V10, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission	Sauber / XTrac T 6-speed semi-automatic
Weight	505 kg (1,113 lb)
Fuel	Elf
Lubricants	Liqui Moly
Tyres	Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants	Team Sauber Formula 1
Notable drivers	29. Karl Wendlinger 30. JJ Lehto
Debut	1993 South African Grand Prix
Last event	1993 Australian Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles F/Laps 16 0 0 0
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

Overview

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.

Livery

The C12 sported a black livery, reminiscent of the C9 Group C prototype sportscar from 1987.

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
				Karl Wendlinger	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	13	6	Ret	Ret	9	6	Ret	4	5	Ret	15
				JJ Lehto	5	Ret	Ret	4	Ret	Ret	7	Ret	8	Ret	Ret	9	Ret	7	8	Ret