The Sauber Junior Team got its 2019 FIA Formula 2 Championship campaign off to a positive start by successfully completing three days of pre-season testing at Jerez in Spain today.
Sauber Motorsport, which runs the Alfa Romeo Racing entry in Formula 1, has partnered with Charouz Racing System to field development drivers in each of the FIA’s single-seater categories during 2019.
Ferrari Driver Academy member Callum Ilott, 20, and American Juan Manuel Correa, 19, were revealed as the Sauber Junior Team by Charouz drivers in the F2 category last week.
Both men officially got their 2019 on-track preparations underway at Jerez, taking part in a pair of timed sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Callum and Juan Manuel adapted quickly to the current-generation F2 car on the 2.75-mile Spanish circuit and successfully worked through a testing programme that focused on performance runs, race simulations, pit stops, standing starts and data analysis.
Callum, third in the 2018 GP3 Series, was P9 and P7 on Tuesday, P8 and P3 on Wednesday and P14 and P11 on Thursday (today).
Juan Manuel, also a GP3 graduate, was P12 and P13 on the opening day, P9 and P5 on the second day, and P15 and P18 on the final day of running.
Antonin Charouz, Charouz Racing System owner, said: “We’ve enjoyed a pleasing test at Jerez and it’s been a positive first introduction of Sauber Junior Team by Charouz to the track. As a team, we achieved everything we wanted and we’ve already seen some good results from our two rookie drivers. They are learning about F2 but our Jerez results give us a solid platform to build on in the next test.”
Bob Vavrik, Charouz Team Principal, said: “I’m happy with what we showed at Jerez. We tried everything that we decided we would do before the test and all of the results we got were real and didn’t show our performance in a false light. I think we already showed we’re quite strong with our rookie drivers and that is testament to the relationship Callum and JM already have with their engineers. There’s a good understanding already and that is positive.”
Callum Ilott said: “It’s been great to start working with the team properly and to get through a solid F2 testing programme and build relationships. Everything’s been positive and strong from my perspective and I think we have a great platform to build on in Barcelona. I felt more and more comfortable in the car with every session and I think I found some good pace. I learned a lot, particularly with the starts and pit stops, which can make a big difference during a race weekend.”
Juan Manuel Correa said: “From the point of view of the things we tested and the procedures we tried, it’s been a positive three days. It was pleasing to try things on the back of the consistent feedback Callum and I gave to the team. There were a lot of new experiences for me but everything went pretty smoothly. I’m pleased with the outcomes and looking forward to driving the car again.”
The Sauber Junior Team by Charouz will continue its F2 testing programme in Barcelona, Spain on 5-7 March. The first round of the 2019 season will get underway at Sakhir International Circuit in Bahrain on 29-31 March.
