Sauber: “The agreement with Russian partners has not fallen through”

Sauber has denied rumors that the deal with the new Russian partners has fallen through. According to the German press, the arrival of funds, essential for the survival of the team, was blocked this week by the National Institute of Aviation Technologies (NIAT), one of the Russian companies involved in the rescue plan of the Swiss Formula 1 team. DPA news agency had quoted the head of NIAT, Oleg Sirotkin – father of the driver Sergey who is due to debut with Sauber in 2014 – as saying that the institute is not capable of financially supporting an F1 team.

But in a statement sent to German media, Sauber said: “NIAT's contribution was never of a financial nature. We are surprised at how some media have spread rumors and false reports around the world" reads the note. Sauber has confirmed that the contract with 17-year-old Sergey Sirotkin remains valid and that his preparation for the seat will begin as soon as the premier category's mandatory summer break ends.

Sauber also underlined, in light of rumors about the impatience of some unpaid suppliers such as Ferrari and Pirelli, that “the first contractually guaranteed payments have already been made”.