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Kaltenborn sees signs of Sauber recovery

The C32 has been looking more competitive in reason races, with Nico Hulkenberg scoring in two of the last three grands prix © Sutton Images

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Monisha Kaltenborn says Sauber is showing signs of recovery on the track with its C32.

Sauber had a very impressive 2012 season as it secured four podium finishes and ended the year 16 points behind Mercedes in the constructors' championship. However, despite the new car being an evolution of last year's, the team has struggled so far this season and has scored just seven points.

Focusing on matters on the track amid uncertainty over the team's financial status, Kaltenborn told ESPN the races before the mid-season break had shown some encouraging signs.

"It's been a disappointing first half because we clearly came here with high expectations which were based on last year's performance and in view of the changes from last year to this year I think we had good reason to believe that," Kaltenborn said. "We somewhere went wrong, we've seen the result now and now we're working our way up again slowly but surely."

With Williams improving and scoring a point for the first time this season in Hungary, Kaltenborn said it was too early to set a target for Sauber to chase in the constructors' championship.

"We're in the middle of a season right now and you should not underestimate any team. Last year it looked like we were a safe bet for sixth position and we were going for the fifth and eventually at the last race it wasn't even sure where we were, so I think we should really be prepared that until the end nothing is really decided in this part of the championship."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.