MARCH 30, 2011

Sauber decides against appeal

Sauber has elected not to appeal against the disqualifications of Sergio Perez and Kamui Kobayashi from seventh and eighth places in the Australian GP.

Sauber has elected not to appeal against the disqualifications of Sergio Perez and Kamui Kobayashi from seventh and eighth places in the Australian GP.

Rookie Perez amazed most of the paddock when he applied a single-stop strategy to finish seventh on his F1 debut, eking 34 laps out of a set of soft Pirelli tyres during his second stint in the Melbourne season-opener. The popular Kobayashi stopped twice en route to eighth place.

Sauber technical director James Key said: "While there was no performance benefit gained by the rear wing inaccuracy, we acknowledge that the rules are the rules."

Team boss Peter Sauber said that while he is disappointed about the disqualification and the loss of a double points finish, the race left him feeling optimistic about the season.

The Malaysian GP at Sepang next weekend will be interesting for Sauber. The higher speed track is tougher on tyres and track temperatures are always high, so if the C30 can replicate its tyre useage there, it could score another strong result.