Sauber admits financial struggles affect suppliers as well

  • Published on 08 Jul 2013 15:40
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Peter Sauber has denied reports employees of his struggling Swiss team are going without pay. It is reported that, because he has not been paid his contractual instalments for May or June, Nico Hulkenberg has terminated his 2013 deal and is therefore free to switch to another team at any moment. "Basically, I won't talk about contracts," Sauber told Swiss television Sportpanorama. "But I am convinced that Nico will be with us in the second half of the season."

The Sonntagszeitung newspaper claims sponsor Oerlikon, and perhaps some other Sauber sponsors, has provided "emergency relief" to the tune of a mid-six figure to the Hinwil based team. "It is very difficult at the moment," team founder Peter Sauber admitted. "Our resources are very limited and the situation is uncomfortable and embarrassing," he added. But Sauber, 69, vehemently denied that his staff are not being paid their wages. "In 20 years in formula one, we have never not paid wages on time," he insisted.

However, Sauber admitted that some suppliers of the team are being asked to wait for their invoices to be paid. "It is affecting not only the development of the car, but also the suppliers," he said. "For the large part, we are being met with understanding, but it is very stressful for us and in many regards painful," said Sauber. He said he has "never" laid off staff "for financial reasons", and does not intend to start now. "Once you start doing that, you hurt the team so much," said Sauber.

But Sauber said his team needs new sponsors urgently, or preferably an investor. "We are very confident in this regard," he revealed. "If it runs smoothly, we can give the all-clear by the end of the month."

He also said a 'plan B' is in place. "It is a good plan," said Sauber, "but time is the big problem -- we're running out of it. Mainly because we might not be able to drive if suppliers begin to stop supplying us." Asked if Sauber's 2013 season is assured, he admitted: "In principle, no. But I feel safe. Currently we are working day to day."

The last resort will be simply selling the team. "If there is no other way out," said Sauber, "that is a possibility. But we are far from that. Closure is not an option. The fire inside me is kindled by situations like this. There is nothing else to do than fight." (GMM)

Order the latest Formula 1 merchandise here!

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2023

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
31 - Apr 2
Australia
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
United States of America
19 - May 21
Italy
26 - May 28
Monaco
2 - Jun 4
Spain
16 - Jun 18
Canada
30 - Jul 2
Austria
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
22 - Sep 24
Japan
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar