The new car did however feature an upgraded Ferrari engine named SPE 03A, rebadged Petronas, and a seven speed gearbox for the first time.

New driver Pedro Diniz also brought with him sponsorship from Parmalat, a move that would cause a court case involving his former employer Arrows that would not be resolved until 2002.

Diniz would score the team's next 3 points with 6th place finishes at the Canadian, British and Austrian Grand Prix.

[8] Diniz was fortunate to escape injury at the European Grand Prix, after his car was launched into a barrel roll at the start of the race which caused his rollbar to fail.

[11][12] After Michael Schumacher's accident at Silverstone, Sauber nearly lost Alesi to Ferrari to cover for the injured German, however he declined to return to the Italian team.

[13] In the aftermath of the Hungarian Grand Prix, Alesi told ITV reporter James Allen that he would leave Sauber, criticising the car and team.