APRIL 2, 2001
Sauber make the most of Ferrari link
SAUBER's technical director Willy Rampf has stressed the importance of his team's link with the Ferrari team after they learned from the reigning World Champions to earn a podium finish in Brazil.
Nick Heidfeld guided his Sauber, which is powered by re-badged Ferrari engines, to third after switching to intermediate tires when the rain started to fall at the Interlagos circuit during the race.
It was the same ploy used by Ferrari's Michael Schumacher when he sped to victory in the rain in the previous race in Malaysia.
"We learned from Malaysia where Michael Schumacher chose the intermediates," said Rampf, of the decision to run German Heidfeld on intermediates during the rain-affected race.
"We knew they were good and that Nick would be able to finish the race on them without stopping again."