BMW-Sauber: Heidfeld & Kubica could soon pose a challenge

March 10: Change, as they say, is inevitable. And, fortunately for Sauber, it didn't die an accidental death like its contemporary Team Prost. This team is alive and kicking and has lived to tell the tale.
From being one of the renowned private teams in Formula One, which took on the might of the manufacturers, Peter Sauber finally took the bait. It was always going to be difficult with meagre financial resources at their disposal to take on the big teams. But instead of partnering a manufacturer, Peter Sauber sold his 'baby' Sauber-Petronas to BMW in 2005.
It has had a string of drivers since 1993 ��� its debut year ��� including really talented ones like Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Johnny Herbert, a former world champion in Jacques Villeneuve (but at the twilight of his career) and, in recent times, highly talented young guns in Felipe Massa, Kimi Raikkonen, 'Quick Nick' Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica.
But the flip side was whenever their drivers did well, they were poached by the big teams. Massa headed to Ferrari while Kimi Raikkonen was spotted by McLaren-Mercedes before the Finn made his big move to the Scuderia. So much so that, Sauber came to be known as the 'feeder' team in Formula One.
At one point, it had a dream line-up in Raikkonen and Heidfeld. But with the lack of resources, their chances of challenging the big guns too were limited. Nevertheless, it did have some uphill and downhill years as well. In its first year, the team finished sixth and in 1995 the team had its first podium when Heinz-Harald Frentzen finished third at Monza. The team also finished fourth in the constructors' championship in 2001, a creditable achievement then.
In hindsight, the sale of the team has been a blessing in disguise. More money came in and the rebranded team, named BMW-Sauber, could challenge the likes of Ferrari and McLaren-Mercedes.
After one of their worst years in 2005 ��� at the end of which Peter Sauber stepped down ��� BMW had a topsy-turvy first season with new signing Heidfeld and Villeneuve (Polish Robert Kubica stepped in mid-season). With some strong performances by their drivers ��� BMW-Sauber finished a decent fifth in 2006.
In 2007, with the same driver line-up, the team had their best season as they finished second in the Constructors' Championship, thanks largely to McLaren's demotion.
The good part of the season was the F1.07 had the pace and, more importantly, was reliable. The team had only six retirements of which five were due to either engine or mechanical failures ��� an impressive record for a team in transition.
True, the transition period is always tough but their drivers have consistently been in the top 10 and the team has been termed 'best of the rest'. And it's a matter of time before they get there.
Under BMW Motorsport director Mario Theissen and with highly talented drivers in German Nick Heidfeld and Poland's Robert Kubica, the team will quite soon be a threat to the top two ��� Ferrari and McLaren.
james.jose@timesgroup.com