35 replies to this topic

[DrDickAction]

From Autosport


FOTA vows to help save BMW Sauber

By Jonathan Noble Wednesday, July 29th 2009, 10:34 GMT


The Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) has vowed to do all it can to help secure a future for the BMW Sauber team, following its parent company's decision to quit the sport.

Just as FOTA moved to help keep Brawn GP on the grid after Honda withdrew from F1 last December, the organisation's secretary general Simone Perillo said on Wednesday that the teams' body had held immediate talks to confirm its support for the Hinwil-based operation.

"FOTA Teams have immediately consulted each other and are ready to assure all the necessary support to the Swiss-based team, whose membership in the association is confirmed, to continue its involvement in the F1 Sport," said Perillo.

FOTA is poised to begin a detailed evaluation of what improvements can be made to the sport - and one option it is openly considering it for teams to run three cars in a bid to keep grid numbers high.

"It is worth mentioning that a professional work has already begun within FOTA, aimed at increasing the involvement of the fans and at improving the F1 show," continued Perillo.

"Among those initiatives, one that could be interesting is the introduction of a third car on the grid. FOTA will seek the opinions of all the most relevant stakeholders in order to exchange ideas and define proposals for the future of Formula 1.

"FOTA Teams now wish to have the necessary certainty and stability within Formula 1 in order to focus on those fundamental priorities for the future."

[cafcwest]

Dr Mario GP.

Dear god I'd pay cash money to see this on the side of the F1.10

[cafcwest]

[DrDickAction]

[chiuey]

Dr Mario GP.

Mario Brothers GP

and with lead sponsors Nintendo

[_R_]

Dr. Mario on one side, and Mr. Thissen on the other

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

Sauber: BMW demands were too high

By Edd Straw Thursday, August 6th 2009, 10:15 GMT

Peter Sauber has blamed BMW's demands for the failure of his negotiations to complete a takeover of the team.

AUTOSPORT understands BMW was asking for much more money for the purchase of its Hinwil base - from which all the team's activities except powertrain development are run - than Sauber was willing to pay.

Sauber, who brought the team into Formula 1 in 1993 and retained a 20 percent stake after it was bought by BMW in 2005, said that had a deal been completed, he would have been able to sign the Concorde Agreement.

This would have guaranteed the team a share of the sport's sport revenue for the next three years and helped ensure its long-term future.

"Following the announcement by BMW that it will be pulling out of Formula 1 at the end of the 2009 season, I tried to launch a takeover and rescue of the team," Sauber told AUTOSPORT.

"However, the negotiations with BMW have failed because the demands were simply far too high for me. Consequently, I have been unable to sign the Concorde Agreement, which guarantees payments worth millions and would have secured the future of the team."

Sauber is still determined to do everything he can to ensure that the Hinwil-based team continues in Formula 1, but described the collapse of the deal as the "bitterest" in his motorsport career.

"I am incredibly disappointed and disconsolate," said Sauber. "For me this is the bitterest day in my 40-year career in motor sport. It is also a devastating setback for the team.

"Other solutions must now be sought. The responsibility for that lies in the hands of BMW. Needless to say, I am willing to help, as before."

No Sauber F1 revival (for now...)

[vietlol]

BMW is quickly becoming my least favourite team

[Redliner]

BMW is quickly becoming my least favourite team

Honda worked to help save the team by giving Brawn money and selling the team for $1 (at the very least so the employees could have jobs).

Doesn't sound like that's the case with BMW...

[DrDickAction]

BMW is quickly becoming my least favourite team

dawt

Honda worked to help save the team by giving Brawn money and selling the team for $1 (at the very least so the employees could have jobs).

Doesn't sound like that's the case with BMW...

and dawt

[cASe SenSiTive]

Dr. Mario on one side, and Mr. Thissen on the other