Sauber stumped for answers in Hulkenberg plank DQ case

The Sauber Components 1 group remains to be trying to find solutions over Nico Hulkenberg‘s Bahrain Grand Prix disqualification.

Hulkenberg crossed the end line in thirteenth place after a troublesome night attempting to contend for factors, however was disqualified as a result of his skid plank had been floor down to eight.4mm, beneath the minimal thickness of 9mm.

It’s the second time this season {that a} automobile has been thrown out of the outcomes for that purpose, with Lewis Hamilton‘s Ferrari also found to have had excessive skid wear in China.

“Apparently the skids have been measured decrease than 9mm,” mentioned Sauber veteran Beat Zehnder. “You do FP1, you do FP2, you do FP3, you measure, you could have your references. Why we’re beneath 9mm, we actually do not know.

“Perhaps it had an influence that Nico solely did a few laps in FP3, so one reference was lacking. However it should not occur and it shall not occur anymore.”

Zehnder conceded the bumpy Bahrain circuit will be tough for plank put on, however did not need to name in any excuses. “It’s important to take it under consideration whether or not you could have a circuit the place your automobile is bouncing loads [and] whether or not you run over kerbs together with your skid loads,” he mentioned. “It is a mistake from our aspect.

“Clearly, there was by no means an intention to interrupt the foundations, as a result of are you able to think about you find yourself within the factors and also you lose them?”

The group’s solely indication proper now why the incident occurred to Hulkenberg’s automobile and to not that of team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto is that the German was working a special set-up with extra downforce.

Sauber has solely been in a position to rating factors within the chaotic mixed-weather race in Australia to date this yr, having lacked the tempo to place a lot strain on the vehicles divvying up the factors since then. Its 2025 automobile’s small efficiency window appeared even narrower in Bahrain’s sizzling circumstances.

When requested by Autosport if that is a good reflection of the place the group is at, and whether or not it is going to want extra particular circumstances to attain factors, Zehnder replied: “It isn’t solely a race like Melbourne. Qualifying is essential after which it very a lot depends upon which prepare you’re in. Free air makes such an enormous distinction in each respect.

“Lately you want a 1.2 to 1.5 second lap time distinction to have the ability to assault. So soiled air is painful and free air is way more healthy to your tyres.

“We all know that we’ve to search out two or three tenths shortly – desperately – simply to qualify a bit additional up the grid. Nico is without doubt one of the greatest qualifiers I’ve ever labored with and it makes a distinction when you begin from P13 or P16.”