Sauber has been identified as one of the main midfield threats to watch in Formula 1 this season.
Last year saw a revitalisation of the Swiss outfit as a new partnership with Alfa Romeo and closer ties to Ferrari allowed them to challenge much more regularly for points, mostly through impressive rookie Charles Leclerc.
That progress, however, has enticed 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen to return to where his F1 career began 18 years ago and has caught the attention of one of their former drivers.
“Sauber is a great team,” Sergio Perez, who raced for the Hinwil-based squad in 2011-12 and now drives at Racing Point, told Motorsport.com.
“They went through a very difficult period for a couple of years, but now I think with the Ferrari relationship they are coming back.”
It isn’t just the improved financial and technical situation that the Mexican believes makes Sauber a much stronger outfit.
“You see [team principal] Fred [Vasseur] is a great team leader and I think they are making great progress,” Perez continued.
“They are definitely the team to watch. Next year they are going to be quite high up. I am looking forward to that.”
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Sauber will just be one participant in what promises to be a very exciting midfield battle this season as the battle to finish ‘best of the rest’ behind the top three teams.
“We should fear everyone,” Carlos Sainz said recently assessing the landscape.
“You think about Sauber, Force India, with a bit more budget, what they could be capable of. Renault, what they are able to do.
“You think about Haas if they keep getting the amount of Ferrari parts that they are getting. McLaren with a whole new project and wanting to invest and wanting to go back to P4 in the championship after a difficult year.
“Anyone could lead the midfield battle next year,” the Spaniard concluded.