Sauber, hit but not sunk

If it is still not certain to compete in the next World Championship of Formula 1, Peter Sauber does just like. The director of the Hinwill team has been very busy lately, between the purchase of the team from BMW, the search for an agreement with the FIA ​​to obtain his place on the grid and the redundancy plan that he must inexorably put in place to save the stable.

In an interview on the official website of the discipline, Peter Sauber, however, is very confident about the future and is already setting priorities. “ We are perfectly on schedule for our car for 2010. Development and manufacturing have not been affected by the situation », explains Peter. “ Personally, I have two priorities? find a place on the grid and sign the Concorde Agreement. »

To be able to continue the adventure, the team must also drastically reduce its workforce. These will go from 380 to 250 people. “ It is a very hard process. In forty years of career, I have never had to lay off staff for economic reasons He continues.

As for the engine, the new car will once again accommodate a thruster Ferrari after four years of collaboration with BMW. “ Shortly after the announcement of BMW's withdrawal at the end of July, I spoke to Luca di Montezemolo (the director of Ferrari, editor’s note) and we received the green light; so we will use a Ferrari engine. Two months before the first tests, we have already reached a good base. »

If everything seems to be in place for next season, all that is missing is the agreement of the FIA ​​for Sauber to take a place on the 2010 grid. If we rely on the entry list published on Monday, the FIA ​​does not seem However, he is not ready to immediately join the Swiss team.