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Formula One
F1: Still No Major Backer, But Sauber Keeps BMW
The Sauber team will still be officially known as BMW-Sauber, for now at least...
SPEED Staff / GMM  |  Posted March 10, 2010   GMM Newswire
Sauber debuted its C29 with no major sponsors appearing, and that hasn't changed in time for the season opening round this week in Bahrain. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
The Sauber team has arrived in Bahrain with its BMW name designation still present and with no major backer.
Sauber debuted its C29 with no major sponsors appearing, and that hasn't changed in time for the season opening round this week in Bahrain. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

There had been speculation that talks with a significant backer would result in a deal to be unveiled in Bahrain, but team boss Peter Sauber reports that the bodywork of the Ferrari-powered C29 is to remain mostly blank for now.

"After the withdrawal of BMW and the takeover of the team, the time was simply too short for us to find a partner or principal sponsor," the 66-year-old told Switzerland's 20 Minuten. "We only had confirmation of the 13th team entry in December so concrete negotiations (with backers) could only start very late. Nevertheless, the 2010 season for us is guaranteed, even though the more sponsors we have, the more we can invest in the development of the car."

Sauber said the team's drivers Pedro de la Rosa and Kamui Kobayashi are not bringing any sponsors to their seats.

"Neither of them has brought money. I hired them only because of their achievements," said the Swiss.

But when asked if he thinks Sauber will be able to tap into the Spanish and Japanese markets, he answered: "I hope so.

"The Spanish and Japanese markets are lucrative, although there has also been the impact of the global financial crisis."

As for its designation, Sauber has still not decided when to officially drop 'BMW' from the official name of its Swiss Formula One team.

The Hinwil based squad is still officially known as BMW Sauber F1 Team, despite the total withdrawal of the German carmaker.

The name has been retained to take advantage of the commercial rewards from Sauber's participation in the 2009 world championship, resulting in sixth place in the title.

But with no ongoing involvement from BMW, the situation means Sauber's chassis for this year is awkwardly known officially as the BMW Sauber Ferrari, because of its use of a Ferrari customer engine.

In its most recent media communiqué, Sauber revealed a new red logo and name (Sauber Motorsport) that indicated an official change is due soon.

But when asked why 'BMW' is still part of Sauber's official name, boss Peter Sauber said: "It's very simple.

"We enrolled last summer with that (BMW) name for the 2010 season and it is still our name.

"We have not yet made an application to change it, and the timing of that is still open," Sauber added.

It has been reported this week that Sauber's new C29 car is perhaps the best of all in terms of tire wear, but the 66-year-old is not getting carried away in the days before the Bahrain season opener.

"I've said it many times: interpreting the results of testing is like reading tea leaves. After all these years I have become quite cautious," said Sauber.

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