Ferrari Wish Sauber all the Best

By Jamie Makin
February 26 2005

Official confirmation of the SAUBER/BMW engine deal for 2006 has not yet been made but SAUBER's current partner, Ferrari, is already bidding the Swiss team farewell.

"As yet, nothing has been decided but I hope Peter Sauber can find an agreement with an engine manufacturer as it will allow him to secure the future of his company," Ferrari's Jean Todt told the media at the launch of their F2005 in Maranello yesterday.

Peter Sauber and Jean Todt have been friends since Sauber's time in Group C sportscar racing in the 1980's. When Sauber lost the factory Ford engine deal after 1996, it took him a lot of negotiating with Ferrari and Todt to secure the new engine deal.

"When we started to supply Sauber, we did that against our will," Todt revealed. "We did that because Peter Sauber would have been without an engine and it would have been the end of his team. We did what we did not for financial income but to help Peter Sauber." In a time where Ferrari is being criticised by the media for being selfish and putting themselves above the sport, it is comforting to hear that Maranello is not that cold-hearted afterall.

Todt does not appear to hold a grudge against Sauber for seeking a new partner. "If Peter Sauber has the opportunity to get a better deal with the manufacturer he is right to do it. He has been doing a great job and it's very difficult," said the Scuderia's boss.

Ferrari will stay in the customer engine business and appear to be working on a deal to supply Midland in 2006.

---