The early decisions that set Sauber’s rookie for success

Absent from the grid – apart from Pietro Fittipaldi’s cameo appearance in 2020 – since 2017. No victories since 2009. The last world title in 1991… if you ignore Felipe Massa’s 20 seconds of champion-elect glory at the end of 2008, of course.

Brazil, the country which produced three multiple Formula 1 champions in two decades at the end of the last century, has recently struggled to bring young, promising drivers to the pinnacle of motorsport.