Sauber admits 2017 costs "really difficult" to bear

The Swiss outfit is already facing a tough financial situation, as team boss Monisha Kaltenborn seeks fresh investors to help deliver a much-needed cash injection.

But its future prospects are being made much harder because teams will face the expensive hurdle of having to prepare for the faster car revolution that is coming next season.

Team manager Beat Zehnder said that costs for 2017 would extend beyond car design, because so many aspects of the rules were changing.

"The financial impact is a massive one and for a small team like Sauber it's really difficult," he said at the Russian Grand Prix.

"It's not only the cars and not being able to carry over parts from one year to the other, it's the list of investments you have to make starting with 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."

Not easy

Zehnder acknowledged that Sauber's finances were tight at the moment, but that every effort was being made to keep the team on track.

"We've been in a more comfortable situation already," he explained. "We have financial difficulties, it's not a secret, but I think the good thing is we are still around.

"We're working hard to solve all the problems but it's not easy. An annual budget this year is just a massive one and to just cover it by sponsors and the income from Bernie is just not sufficient at the moment."