Practice sessions ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix went according to the plan for the Sauber F1 Team. Following several rear wing tests before the summer break, both Sauber C35-Ferraris hit the track in Spa-Francorchamps for the first time with an optimised aero package consisting of a new front wing and floor, as well as brake ducts. The engineers will now focus on the evaluation of the tests.

Marcus Ericsson: "It was an interesting day, obviously because of the aero package we introduced here in Spa. My initial feeling is that there are some improvements. We need more time to try different configurations in order to optimise the package and see how it works in the best possible way. It was a good first day with the new package. Tonight we will anaylse the data collected to get a better understanding. We will see how it works when it counts tomorrow."

Felipe Nasr: "Today the main focus was on evaluating the new package. In the morning we did many scans, analysing different configurations on the aerodynamic side. We could already see some benefits from the package, which is positive. In FP2 we were then able to concentrate more on short and long-runs on soft as well as supersoft tyres. From a technical point of view, my top speed has been compromised because of misfires. I am optimistic that this issues will be sorted out by tomorrow."

Check out our Friday gallery from Spa, here.