Sauber's financial struggle rolls on, with the Swiss newspaper Blick reporting that team staff are now waiting for their April wages. Team boss and co-owner Monisha Kaltenborn says she is waiting for a key sponsorship payment.
"I hope the money comes in the next days," she said, "but we will solve the problem."
Sauber's financial problems are obvious, with the departure of technical boss Mark Smith, chief engineer Tim Malyon and now the decision to pull out of the post-Spanish grand prix test.
And team manager Beat Zehnder is only expecting the situation to get worse as Sauber prepares for 2017.
Radical new regulations for next year have now been approved, and Auto Motor und Sport claims they will force up budgets by at least another EUR 8 million.
"It's not only the cars and not being able to carry over parts from one year to the other, it's tyre heating blankets, and, and, and... We're talking about millions and millions here, so for a smaller team it's really a difficult time," said Zehnder.
Indeed, Auto Motor und Sport said the wider wheels and wings, for example, will require new lightweight transport containers, at a cost of several thousand euros apiece.
"The financial impact is massive and for a small team like Sauber it's really difficult," said Zehnder.
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Replies (4)
Login to replymclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
Here is a quick solution, drown that vampire Monisha or there is no hope for that team.
Vet5
Posts: 225
Totally Agree!!!! She has torn that team apart! I always liked Sauber and loved them when it was BMW, but employing her was the worst thing they could have done. They need to buy out her shares (which will be worth nothing now with the way the team are going) and get shot of her!
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yeah, Sauber need a new governing body.
khasmir
Posts: 893
No surprise, will be the same every month until there is a major improvement in cash flow.