Sauber are starting to rebuild their tattered organisation after almost succumbing to financial woes in 2016.
The Swiss team have been bought out and rescued by a mysterious investment group, which reportedly has close ties to Swedish driver Marcus Ericsson.
Sauber are not commenting on that, but the outfit have arrived at Spa-Francorchamps with a new package for its Ferrari-powered car - including a short nose.
"We are re-discovering the fun of racing again," an unnamed team member told Swiss newspaper Blick.
"It is noticeable at Hinwil in every area. There in the uncertain period, many people left."
Meanwhile, Sauber have commenced a new process of recruitment.
"We are having many conversations," team manager Beat Zehnder admitted. "But most good engineers have a half-year waiting period until they are allowed to work somewhere else."
The new, shorter nose, however, should give an immediately performance boost.
"Difficult to say," Zehnder answered. "Maybe three tenths. That would be a lot, unless the competition has found four tenths over the summer break."
Sauber have yet to pick up a point in 2016.
