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Sauber expect big things in 2019 after pushing like hell

Sauber expect big things in 2019 after "pushing like hell"

09-01-2019 15:03 Last update: 15:08

After a decent 2018, Sauber is expecting even bigger things during their 2019 campaign. According to the team boss, they "pushed like hell" after an early switch to the 2019 car design.

The Swiss team lifted themselves from the bottom and eventually finished ahead of Toro Rosso last time out. By the end of the season Charles Leclerc, who was rewarded with a Ferrari drive next season, featured in Q3 more often than not.

Frederic Vasseur, team boss of Sauber, spoke to Motorsport.com about their plans for 2019. He has high hopes of an even better performance.

"We pushed like hell quite early on next year's car. We switched all resources of the company on next year's car quite early," said Vasseur. "We have good expectations, but when you have a change like this into the regulations it's a drastic one. You never know.

"You can take the wrong direction and we will understand this perhaps [only at testing] in Barcelona because nobody knows exactly what the others are doing. "My feeling is very positive, that we are still improving week after week, and with the same purpose, we had this season. I don't know if the others are doing a better job or not, but we are doing a good job."

The team should benefit from the arrival of Kimi Raikkonen who replaces Ferrari bound Leclerc. Vasseur is expecting to get the experienced Finn into the top 10 in 2019.

"We are fighting towards the top 10, and in terms of teams between P4 and P6. We have to do at least the same next year. It will be the target," he added.