Sauber issue official statement after driver disqualified at...

Sauber issue official statement after driver disqualified at…read more

The Sauber F1 Team has released an official statement in response to the recent disqualification of their F1 Academy driver, Emma Felbermayr, following Race 1 of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend. The decision, which has drawn significant attention from the motorsport community, came after post-race scrutineering identified a technical infringement on Felbermayr’s car.

Emma Felbermayr, a rising star in the F1 Academy series and a key member of Sauber’s driver development program, had initially delivered a solid performance in the opening race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal. However, her result was later annulled when stewards found her car to be in breach of technical regulations. This development led to her formal disqualification from the race standings, a setback that not only impacts her championship campaign but also drew swift reaction from her team.

In their official statement, Sauber expressed both disappointment and a firm commitment to understanding the cause of the issue. “We regret to confirm that our driver, Emma Felbermayr, has been disqualified from Race 1 of the F1 Academy event at the Canadian Grand Prix,” the team announced. “The disqualification stems from a technical non-compliance that was identified during the mandatory post-race checks. While the team fully respects the decision of the stewards and the governing body, we are currently investigating the circumstances that led to this situation.”

Sauber further emphasized that they take full responsibility for the technical irregularity and are working closely with F1 Academy officials to ensure such an incident does not occur again. “We are dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of compliance and sportsmanship in every aspect of our participation. Our technical teams are conducting a thorough internal review to identify whether a procedural error or an unexpected technical failure was at the root of the issue,” the statement continued.

The F1 Academy, a relatively new all-female single-seater racing series launched to promote and develop female talent in motorsport, has rapidly gained international attention. The Canadian Grand Prix was set to feature a packed schedule for the series, with three races planned over the weekend. This was due to the rescheduling of the Miami Grand Prix’s Race 2, which had previously been canceled and subsequently added to the Montreal event.

Felbermayr, known for her competitive spirit and promising potential, had been poised to make significant progress in the championship standings during this critical triple-header weekend. Her disqualification in Race 1 now presents a considerable hurdle in her title ambitions. Despite this setback, Sauber has pledged its unwavering support for Felbermayr, acknowledging her professionalism and resilience throughout the challenging circumstances.

“Emma has shown remarkable composure and determination despite this unfortunate outcome,” the team’s statement added. “We remain fully confident in her abilities and her potential for future success in the F1 Academy series. Our focus now shifts to supporting her in the remaining races of the weekend and ensuring she has every opportunity to demonstrate her capabilities on track.”

The Canadian Grand Prix weekend continues to be a crucial event for F1 Academy drivers, as the condensed race schedule offers limited time for recovery between sessions. Sauber has confirmed that Felbermayr will continue to compete in the remaining races, as the disqualification only affected the result of Race 1.

As the motorsport community watches closely, both Sauber and Felbermayr are determined to move forward with renewed focus and a commitment to learning from the incident. Fans and supporters alike will be eager to see how the young driver responds in the upcoming races, with hopes that she can quickly bounce back and continue her pursuit of success in the F1 Academy.