Sauber tipped for success in 2019 by rivals

Alfa Romeo Sauber could be the team to watch according to their rivals ahead of the 2019 season. The Swiss team has been steadily making progress towards the midfield and are the team who could be set to surprise this season.

Whilst they might have lost standout talent Charles Leclerc, the return of Kimi Raikkonen to the team he started his career at back in 2001 could be another positive step in the revival of fortunes for the team.

Former Sauber driver Sergio Perez highlighted to Autosport that the team is heading in the right direction and could be the surprise package come testing and then later in Melbourne.

“Sauber is a great team. They went through a very difficult period for a couple of years, but now I think with the Ferrari relationship they are coming back.

“You see Fred (Vasseur) is a great team leader and I think they are making great progress. They are definitely the team to watch. They are going to be quite high up. I am looking forward for that.”

Alongside the Iceman is Antonio Giovinazzi who will be competing in his first full season as an F1 driver after two stand-in races for Pascal Wehrlein back in 2017 after the German injured his neck in a pre-season crash at a Race of Champions event.