Formula One news

F1 'not healthy' - Sauber

Bought-out F1 boss Peter Sauber reckons the current financial situation on the grid is 'not healthy'. The Swiss, who in China attended his last grand prix as a team owner after selling Sauber to BMW, says the carmaker era made it nearly impossible to merely survive in pitlane.

"Costs have gone up drastically," he told Autosport, "and I think with those costs financially formula one is on a level today that is not really healthy."

Sauber says that when he entered F1, in 1993, the pinnacle of motor racing was still on a 'normal technical level'.

The Hinwil based camp had 60 employees and a $20 million budget. In 2005, Sauber-Petronas was ten times bigger. "Budgets exploded," Peter confirmed. In 435 grand prix stars, Sauber never won a race.

He explains: "With our resources it was impossible to win with our own performance. In formula one, a podium was like a win for us."

Sauber will, at least, stay busy next year and beyond. He has a BMW consultancy contract, will advise Credit Suisse's continuing F1 involvement, and is working on a new deal between BMW and long time Sauber backer Petronas.

more news

• 07 Jan.
  • Ecclestone reveals September deadline for Donington
  • Ferrari willing to supply 'Honda' with engines
  • Brawn says Honda won't test before season
• 06 Jan.
  • Ferrari to use electronic pitstop system in 2009
  • Kubica to start karting team
  • Webber's recovery going well
  • Ferrari to reveal new car next week
  • Stewart hits out at Ecclestone and Mosley
• 05 Jan.
  • Red Bull's RB5 to debut in February
  • Suspended sentence and fine for Verstappen
  • Berger confirms Buemi for STR
• 04 Jan.
  • Kubica expecting more accidents
• 03 Jan.
  • Encouraging news for Donington
• 02 Jan.
  • Di Resta still hopeful of F1 drive
  • "Title loss would have damaged Hamilton's reputation"
• 01 Jan.
  • Hakkinen supports medals system
• 31 Dec. '08
  • Kubica: Next year is a big challenge
  • Hakkinen: Vettel will soon be a Formula 1 champion
  • Hamilton receives MBE award
  • Heidfeld expects more accidents in 2009
• 30 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to join Madame Tussauds
  • Ecclestone: Button should take a sabbatical
  • Manager: Alonso would love to join Ferrari one day
  • Changes at Toro Rosso
• 29 Dec. '08
  • Hamilton to miss victory parade in Woking
  • Alonso to join Ferrari in 2011?
  • Mexican billionaire denies Honda bid
• 28 Dec. '08
  • Mexican buyer for Honda?
• 27 Dec. '08
  • F1 drivers positive on Algarve circuit
• 26 Dec. '08
  • Montezemolo says KERS introduction is a mistake
• 25 Dec. '08
  • Season's greetings from GPUpdate.net
• 24 Dec. '08
  • Massa against proposed pay cut
  • Ferrari undecided over Schumacher future
  • Karthikeyan not interested in joining Force India
  • Mosley: Finding a successor won't be easy
  • Ecclestone won't split teams - Howett
  • Mosley may still try to continue
• 23 Dec. '08
  • WSR team Draco teams up with Force India
  • Howett: Ecclestone not able to split FOTA
  • Toyota committed to Formula 1

Homepage