Funding is not an issue for team Sauber anymore – Peter Sauber
BMW Sauber’s 2010 season did not have a very good start but after Kamui Kobayashi finished in the points at Spa-Francorchamps, the team’s recent rebirth shows no sign of flagging. Team Principal Peter Sauber is now relieved as the team now has a healthy level of funding for next year after some tough financial times. However, Sauber is keeping his lips sealed about where the funding is going to come from.
The team boss kept his cool even though the team was struggling for results in the beginning of the season. However, there was no doubt in his mind as he thought that he had made the right decision to run the tea again next year. Closing the team down was never an alternative for the team principal even though BMW stepped out. It was a do or die situation for him and he could not let the team die. The car was not reliable and it was a new and scary situation for him. It was not an easy season as the team was running with an ad-free Formula 1 car. Peter said that he did not want to “show off” any sponsors that will pay less than the true value. The team principal was aware of the fact that it would not be easy to find any sponsors especially after taking over the team just before Christmas.
Peter Sauber stated that he is only confident about the team being on the grid next season. He is convinced that the team will have proper financing for the 2011 season and give the team a chance to race at their best hopefully. Peter wants to take the team to the level he wants however, it was difficult for him to explain where the team will stand next season. The team was oscillating between the 6th and 4th place in the constructors’ championship. BMW gave the team a huge boast as they finished second with them but the team was in 6th place again when Sauber took over the team. “I would say that is looks like it will be hard to maintain that position as the gap, particularly to Force India, is quite significant. We are not satisfied with the position that we hold now. And when I say that I am sure we will have the finances to race as we would like, then I clearly see us doing better than now”, said the team principal.
Sauber did not comment about the rumours regarding the alliance between the team and the Mexican Billionaire Carlos Slim Helu. The team had Esteban Gutierrez (Mexican GP3 driver) driving the car for one day last year at the young drivers test day as he was already signed to the contract with BMW Sauber F1 team and he impressed the team. Esteban’s contact and closeness with Mexico, especially Carlos Slim is the reason why Carlos Slim helps the team out more which is not a secret.
Peter believes that the team is gearing up well for the up and coming talent as he can spot new talented drivers immediately and Sauber has been a nurturing ground for young drivers, after which top teams spot them and hire them later in their careers. Sauber believes that the team is quite attractive and has an excellent infrastructure. The reason why the team has not been able to compete with the top teams is the financial situation and head count. The team is satisfied with both drivers and they delivered what the team was expecting from them even though Sauber has had reliability issues. Peter believes that there was nothing wrong with the car and the start of the 2010 season was rather atypical. It was a mystery for the team as well about why they were not able to perform up to the mark. However, it was partly because of the new engine. Sauber has picked up the pace now and they believe that they will be able to put in some good results. Nevertheless, the future of Sauber still is uncertain but after looking at what Peter Sauber said, it seems that the team will be able to make it into the 2011 season and improve their car for the rest of the season. The team principal believes that the team can do much better than how it is performing at the moment.
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