Sauber Mercedes-Benz C291
We are excited to present to you a truly remarkable car which has never been seen in public before. This is chassis number one of two cars built by Sauber to compete in the 1992 World Sportscar Championship. The only other example, chassis number two, was on display at the Sauber museum but is now believed to be in the Mercedes factory collection.
Specification
Race Category: Group C Sports Prototype
Livery: Silver Arrows
Year: 1992
Designer: Leo Ress, Sauber
Chassis Number: C291
Chassis Construction: Carbon-fibre composite monocoque
Weight: 750–780 kg
Aerodynamics: Low-drag Group C bodywork with full-width rear wing and advanced underbody aerodynamics
Body Style: Closed-cockpit endurance prototype
Steering Position: Center
Suspension: Double wishbone suspension with pushrod-operated dampers
Brakes: Carbon ventilated disc brakes
Engine Details: Mercedes-Benz M291 naturally aspirated flat-12
Engine Layout: Mid-mounted longitudinal
Engine Size: 3.5-litre
Engine Power: 550–600 bhp
Fuel Type: Petrol
Drive Configuration: RWD
Transmission: Six speed sequential gearbox
Detailed Overview
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Description
The Sauber Mercedes-Benz C291 marked the final chapter of Mercedes-Benz’s hugely successful Group C programme. Developed by Sauber Motorsport for the 1991 FIA World Sportscar Championship, the C291 was created in response to the FIA’s controversial introduction of Formula One-style 3.5-litre naturally aspirated engine regulations. It replaced the dominant turbocharged C11, which had delivered multiple championship titles and outright victories, but represented a completely different engineering philosophy.
At the heart of the C291 was the all-new Mercedes-Benz M291 3.5-litre flat-12 engine. Unlike rival manufacturers that adapted existing Formula One engines, Mercedes designed the engine from scratch specifically for sports prototype racing. Although technically sophisticated and capable of very high engine speeds, it initially produced only around 550–600 horsepower—significantly less than the twin-turbocharged V8 used in the C11. This shortfall in power, together with early reliability issues, limited the car’s competitiveness during much of the season.
The chassis featured a lightweight carbon-fibre monocoque clothed in sleek, low-drag bodywork that retained the traditional appearance of earlier Group C cars. While competitors such as the Jaguar XJR-14 adopted Formula One-inspired aerodynamics with prominent front wings, the C291 maintained a cleaner aerodynamic profile aimed at achieving superior top speeds. In practice, however, the combination of lower engine output and reduced downforce left it at a disadvantage against the newer generation of prototypes.
Throughout the 1991 season, Mercedes continued to race the proven C11 alongside the new C291 while development continued. Reliability gradually improved, culminating in the car’s finest moment at the final round of the championship at Autopolis, where Michael Schumacher and Karl Wendlinger secured the C291’s only World Championship victory. Despite that success, Mercedes finished third in the manufacturers’ standings, and the planned C292 successor never raced after the company decided to withdraw from sports prototype competition in favour of Formula One.
Today, the Sauber Mercedes-Benz C291 is regarded as one of the most technically intriguing Group C cars ever built. Although overshadowed by the championship-winning C11 that came before it, the C291 represents Mercedes-Benz’s bold attempt to adapt to a new era of endurance racing and remains a rare and important milestone in prototype racing history.
Race History
- Developed By: Sauber Motorsport for the factory-backed Mercedes-Benz World Sportscar Championship programme.
- Purpose: Replaced the dominant turbocharged C11 to comply with the FIA’s new 3.5-litre naturally aspirated regulations.
- Competition Debut: 1991 430 km of Monza.
- Drivers: Michael Schumacher, Karl Wendlinger, Jean-Louis Schlesser and Jochen Mass.
- Le Mans 1991: The C291 did not compete. Mercedes instead entered the proven C11 due to concerns over the new car’s reliability.
- Race Wins: Achieved its sole World Championship victory at the 430 km of Autopolis with Michael Schumacher and Karl Wendlinger.
- Podiums: Scored three podium finishes from eight championship starts.
- Championship Result: Finished 3rd in the 1991 World Sportscar Championship Constructors’ standings.
- Primary Rivals: Jaguar XJR-14, Peugeot 905 and Toyota TS010.
- Legacy: The C291 became Mercedes-Benz’s final Group C race winner and the last factory Group C car before the company shifted its focus to Formula One.
