The Hinwil-based team is the one team to not have scored points in the present campaign after its qualifying results dropped because the start of the season.
“We still have something to work on,” Bottas said. “We must make improvements and increase the speed of the automobile. It's not rocket science, we just need more elements.”
On whether an update package for the Spanish Grand Prix is on the best way, the Finn replied: “We have small things, but a very high downforce track, it's a different track to here. I think it will be close, as we saw. The next step will be to get back to Q2, where we can fight a little better.”
Valtteri Bottas, kick of the Stake F1 Sauber C44 team
Photo: Zak Mauger / Motorsport images
His fortunes didn’t turn around before qualifying and, facing a back-to-back start, he joined Bottas in starting the race from the pit lane.
Ultimately ending the race because the only driver lapped by race winner Verstappen, the Chinese driver admitted: “I just struggled on different compounds. Halfway through the race I used to be a bit out of the race anyway, so I used to be a bit lonely.
“We have already planned something on the factory to examine every part and make certain that we’re starting a bit from scratch. These two weekends I feel like something just isn’t going right and this weekend all these mistakes which have never happened before.
“So we try to understand all our problems and have plans for the next race.”
Asked if it was just the rear of the automobile that was lacking confidence given the accidents it had earlier within the weekend, Zhou replied: “Honestly, this phenomenon happens everywhere, just four-wheel skidding. There's no huge limitation here, we're just lacking traction. Getting progress is quite simple, but not easy.”
