The C18 was launched at the Museum Tinguely in Basel, Switzerland. The C18 was a clear development of the C17 from the season prior. The new car did however feature an upgraded Ferrari engine named SPE 03A, rebadged Petronas, and a seven speed gearbox for the first time. The C18 would run Bridgestone tyres, a first for Sauber, as Goodyear withdrew from Formula One before 1999. Bringing Diniz onboard was worth around $7million for the Sauber team, and with the saving on Johnny Herbert's salary, it was estimated Sauber had an additional $12million in budget for developing the C18.[1]
The C18 retained a similar livery to the season prior, a two tone blue livery with flashes of red and extensive sponsorship from energy drinks manufacturer, Red Bull and Malaysian company Petronas. New driver Pedro Diniz also brought with him sponsorship from Parmalat, a move that would cause a court case involving his former employer Arrows that would not be resolved until 2002.[2]
In early testing, the C18 suffered some mechanical issues, but both drivers were happy with the performance.[3] By mid-February Alesi was classified fastest during the Barcelona test ahead of McLaren and Jordan.[4] After the season opening Grand Prix, Technical Director Leo Ress confirmed the C18 had a flexible rear wing, before the FIA implemented a standard flexibility regulation in Brazil.[5] This would later be banned.[6]
By the mid point of 1999, Sauber confirmed they would retain their deal for engines from Ferrari. This was estimated to cost the team $15million per year.[7]
Racing performance
The C18 struggled throughout the 1999 season with a large number of retirements. On just 12 occasions did a C18 cross the finish line of a Grand Prix, with Diniz chalking up 12 retirements in 16 races, failing to finish a Grand Prix until Canada in round 6. Alesi meanwhile fared slightly better with 8 retirements. Alesi chalked up the first points of the season in Round 3 at San Marino with a 6th place finish. Diniz would score the team's next 3 points with 6th place finishes at the Canadian, British and Austrian Grand Prix. Alesi added the team's final point at the final Grand Prix of the season in Japan.[8]
Diniz was fortunate to escape injury at the European Grand Prix, after his car was launched into a barrel roll at the start of the race which caused his rollbar to fail.[9][10] Alesi was hospitalised after a high speed crash at the Hungaroring.[11][12]
After Michael Schumacher's accident at Silverstone, Sauber nearly lost Alesi to Ferrari to cover for the injured German, however he declined to return to the Italian team.[13] In the aftermath of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Alesi told ITV reporter James Allen that he would leave Sauber, criticising the car and team.[14][15] He would later sign for Prost.[16]Mika Salo, who had ultimately deputised for Schumacher at Ferrari instead of Alesi would sign for Sauber.[17]
At the end of the season, Diniz and Alesi finished 14th and 15th in the Drivers' Championship respectively, while Sauber finished eighth in the Constructors' Championship, their five points being their lowest tally since their entry into F1 in 1993.[18]
Livery
At the Malaysian Grand Prix, a Malaysian flag featured on the engine cover to commemorate the inaugural race that held there.
