A solid start

Karl Wendlinger is ready to test the new Sauber C12 in December 1992. We recognise from right to left: Mario Illien (engines), Peter Sauber, Steve Nichols, Beat Zehnder and the whole crew of Sauber mechanics around the single-seater.

A planned collaboration between Mercedes and Sauber to create their own Formula 1 team was abandoned at the end of 1992, but Mercedes decided to continue funding the Sauber Formula 1 project. It was then decided to power the team’s single-seaters with the Ilmor V10, in the chassis named C12, the C referring to Christine, Peter Sauber’s wife. The two drivers chosen were JJ Lehto and Karl Wendlinger.

The C12, very attractive in its black livery, made an excellent debut in South Africa at the beginning of 1993, and finished fifth (Lehto, picture below). Despite this impressive debut, this car was subsequently plagued by mechanical problems, but proved its speed by regularly finishing in the top 10.

The team did not achieve a podium finish, but finished the 1993 season with 12 championship points and seventh place in the constructors’ standings: a solid start indeed.