Sauber C15

The Sauber C15 was the car with which the Sauber team competed in the 1996 Formula One World Championship. It was powered by the Ford Zetec-R V10 engine and driven by German Heinz-Harald Frentzen, who was in his third season with the team, and Briton Johnny Herbert, who moved from Benetton.

Sauber C15
Heinz-Harald Frentzen driving the C15 at the 1996 San Marino Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorSauber
Designer(s)Leo Ress (Technical Director)
Ian Thomson (Head of Chassis Design)
Rene Hilhorst (Head of Aerodynamics)
Mike Jennings (Principal Aerodynamicist)
PredecessorSauber C14
SuccessorSauber C16
Technical specifications
Chassiscarbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Suspension (front)double wishbones, combined spring/damper units, pushrod
Suspension (rear)double wishbones, combined spring/damper units, pushrod
EngineFord Zetec-R, 72° V10, NA
TransmissionSauber/Xtrac six-speed longitudinal semi-automatic
Power670 hp (499.6 kW) @ 15,800 rpm
FuelPetronas
TyresGoodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsRed Bull Sauber Ford
Notable drivers14. United Kingdom Johnny Herbert
15. Germany Heinz-Harald Frentzen
Debut1996 Australian Grand Prix
Last event1996 Japanese Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
160100
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

Overview

After an encouraging performance in 1995 with a full-works Ford V8 engine, 1996 proved frustrating as Sauber developed the troublesome Zetec-R V10. Problems with the new unit's power delivery resulted in the team scoring only 11 points, despite the theoretical power advantage over a V8.

The drivers proved well-matched, with Frentzen having a slight edge over Herbert. However, the German left the team at the end of the year to join champions Williams for 1997. The team's second podium finish since its F1 début in 1993 was scored by Herbert at the chaotic 1996 Monaco Grand Prix, with Frentzen in fourth. Heinz-Harald scored further points at Catalunya and Suzuka.

The team eventually finished seventh in the Constructors' Championship, with 11 points.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Points WCC
1996 Red Bull Sauber Ford Ford V10 G AUS BRA ARG EUR SMR MON ESP CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR JPN 11 7th
United Kingdom Johnny Herbert DNS Ret 9 7 Ret 3 Ret 7 DSQ 9 Ret Ret Ret 9 8 10
Germany Heinz-Harald Frentzen 8 Ret Ret Ret Ret 4 4 Ret Ret 8 8 Ret Ret Ret 7 6

References
  • Henry, Alan, ed. (1996). AUTOCOURSE 1996-97. Hazleton Publishing. pp. 80–82. ISBN 1-874557-91-8.


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