Monisha Kaltenborn is in line to become team boss at Sauber. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Sauber Names Kaltenborn As Future Successor: Monisha Kaltenborn will become F1's first ever female team boss. That is the revelation of Peter Sauber, who at the age of 68 has hinted he might call it a day before his 70th birthday. Indian Kaltenborn, 41, is already Hinwil-based Sauber's chief executive, while Peter Sauber remains the team principal. "I have always said that I will not be sitting on the pitwall as a 70 year old," Sauber told Der Sonntag newspaper. "With certainty, my successor is Monisha Kaltenborn. That is for sure. When it (the handover) happens is still open. She will be the first female team boss in Formula One history," Sauber continued. "She's been with us for 13 years, always with leading roles. I'm sure she will do the job very well." Sauber, in fact, has already departed the pitwall once before, when he sold his team to BMW and handed over to Mario Theissen. Somewhat reluctantly, he returned in 2010, having rescued the Hinwil-based employees in the wake of German carmaker's sudden withdrawal. "I could not jump into the breach a second time," said Sauber, hinting that his retirement this time around would be final.

CVC To Sell 20 Percent Of F1 For $2 Billion - Report: More details about Formula One's planned stock market flotation have emerged. Bloomberg, the financial news agency, said majority owner CVC is seeking $2 billion by floating "about 20 percent" of the sport. That would value F1 at about $10 billion. The information was verified by "four people with knowledge of the matter," the report said. "CVC wants to conduct the sale in Singapore as early as June, and is in discussions with investment banks about its plans, which aren't final," Bloomberg added. The report added that Bernie Ecclestone plans to keep his 5.3 percent stake and will remain F1's chief executive.

Still Some 'Gentlemen' In F1 - Sauber: There are still some "gentlemen" in F1, team boss and owner Peter Sauber insists. Amid the recent F-duct debate, it was suggested that Mercedes' Ross Brawn had broken a teams' "gentlemen's agreement" that the technology should not be pursued. "I think you need gentlemen in Formula One for this," Sport Bild reporter Ralf Bach jibed sarcastically during a news conference recently. But Sauber, arguably one of the few gentlemen in the paddock, told Sonntagsblick that he still has some peers. Asked if he was privately congratulated after Sergio Perez's second place in Malaysia recently, the Swiss said: "Martin Whitmarsh, of McLaren, offered me a very nice congratulation. Franz Tost (Toro Rosso) wrote me a lovely text. And then (Stefano) Domenicali and the people at Ferrari; we have a very friendly relationship," added Sauber. As for whether there are many other gentlemen in F1, he insisted: "In this business, you don't really ask this question. I didn't know Colin Chapman. Ken Tyrrell was someone who appealed to me greatly, but he didn't take us (Sauber) seriously. It was the same with Frank Williams." Indeed, in the paddock, skepticism and cynicism are more widespread, which explains why Sauber's 2012 car — although fast throughout winter testing - was not regarded as a serious threat until mere days ago. "We knew our car was good after the tests in Jerez and Barcelona. But the others just thought that we were running light, which is common when a team from the midfield shows something," said Sauber. Also amusing, according to Sauber, is the story of Sergio Perez. "A year ago it was said he just paid for his cockpit. So it makes me chuckle now when I see them say he is going to Ferrari," he said.