Sauber C23

The Sauber C23 was a Formula One racing car designed by Sauber for the 2004 Formula One season.

Sauber C23

Giancarlo Fisichella driving the Sauber C23 at the 2004 United States Grand Prix.
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Sauber
Designer(s)	Willy Rampf (Technical Director) Jacky Eeckelaert (Engineering Director) Christoph Zimmermann (Head of Chassis Design) Phil Arnaboldi (Head of Car Concept) Seamus Mullarkey (Head of Aerodynamics) Dirk de Beer (Principal Aerodynamicist)
Predecessor	Sauber C22
Successor	Sauber C24
Technical specifications
Chassis	carbon-fibre monocoque
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 pushrods
Engine	Petronas 04A (Ferrari Tipo 053[1]) 3.0 litre 90 degree V10 naturally aspirated mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission	Ferrari 7-speed longitudinally mounted gearbox AP carbon clutch
Fuel	Petronas Primax
Lubricants	Petronas Syntium
Tyres	Bridgestone
Competition history
Notable entrants	Sauber Petronas
Notable drivers	11. Giancarlo Fisichella 12. Felipe Massa
Debut	2004 Australian Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles F/Laps 18 0 0 0
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

The C23 was driven by Giancarlo Fisichella, who left his previous team Jordan to join Sauber. Felipe Massa, who was a regular driver for Sauber in 2002, returned to Sauber after spending a year as a test driver for Ferrari. Neel Jani was the team's test driver.

Overview

The car was a direct evolution of the Sauber C22. For this purpose, Ferrari's car from the previous year, the Ferrari F2003-GA, was used as a model. In terms of design, care was taken to make the car lighter and more test than last year's car. For the first time, the Sauber car was equipped with the same Ferrari engine type as Ferrari itself and not, as before, with the respective previous year's engine. The engine was designated the Petronas 04A. The fuel also came from Petronas and the car raced with Bridgestone tyres.

The Sauber C23 was unveiled on January 12 in Salzburg at Hangar-7, Red Bull's owned aircraft hangar, to mark the 10th anniversary of Red Bull's sponsorship.^[2]

Racing history

Giancarlo Fisichella scored the most championship points with 22 with a best finish of 4th place at the Canadian Grand Prix while Felipe Massa scored 12 points also with a best finish of 4th place at the Belgian Grand Prix. The team scored 34 points overall and 6th place in the Constructors' Championship.

Sponsorship and livery

Sauber went into 2004 with sponsorship continuity. The livery closely resembles Sauber's previous car, the C22 with the removal of computer software company TEMENOS. This was the last Sauber car featuring sponsorship from Red Bull, before Red Bull's departure to Red Bull Racing in 2005. The following season, Credit Suisse serves as a major sponsor.

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year	Team	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	Points	WCC
2004	Sauber Petronas	Petronas V10*	B		AUS	MAL	BHR	SMR	ESP	MON	EUR	CAN	USA	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	CHN	JPN	BRA	34	6th
				Giancarlo Fisichella	10	11	11	9	7	Ret	6	4	9†	12	6	9	8	5	8	7	8	9
				Felipe Massa	Ret	8	12	10	9	5	9	Ret	Ret	13	9	13	Ret	4	12	8	9	8

* Denotes Ferrari engine badged as Petronas.