Breaking news
Formula 1
Sauber admits suppliers not being paid
Sauber said his team needs new sponsors urgently, or preferably an investor.
GMM
Edited: Jul 8, 2013, 8:49 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Jul.8 (GMM) 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.
Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber C32
Photo by: XPB Images
"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."
Esteban Gutierrez, Sauber C32 running flow-vis paint on the rear diffuser
Photo by: XPB Images
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."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article 2013's F1 tyre saga races ahead to Hungary
Next article Another tough weekend, injuries in Motorsport
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
GMM
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Formula 1
Formula 1
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Formula 1
Formula 1
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Formula 1
Formula 1
Chinese GP
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
More from
Esteban Gutierrez
"This is the American dream": Inside Haas’ shock F1 debut 10 years on
Formula 1
Formula 1
"This is the American dream": Inside Haas’ shock F1 debut 10 years on
Gutierrez joins Glickenhaus for Le Mans as full entry list revealed
WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
Gutierrez joins Glickenhaus for Le Mans as full entry list revealed
Ex-F1 driver Gutierrez joins Inter Europol for 2022 WEC campaign
WEC
WEC
Ex-F1 driver Gutierrez joins Inter Europol for 2022 WEC campaign
More from
Sauber
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
Formula 1
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
Lewis Hamilton 'almost signed for Sauber' before F1 debut, says Peter Sauber
Formula 1
Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya Pre-Season Testing
Lewis Hamilton 'almost signed for Sauber' before F1 debut, says Peter Sauber
F1 2025 season highlights: Fans crown Nico Hulkenberg's podium and Lando Norris's title as top moments
Formula 1
Formula 1
F1 2025 season highlights: Fans crown Nico Hulkenberg's podium and Lando Norris's title as top moments
Latest news
GT World Challenge Portimao: All you need to know about season finale featuring Max Verstappen
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance
WCEE GT World Challenge Europe Endurance 8 min
GT World Challenge Portimao: All you need to know about season finale featuring Max Verstappen
13 Autosport retains unchanged lineup for 2027 IMSA campaign, eyes global expansion
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 26 min
13 Autosport retains unchanged lineup for 2027 IMSA campaign, eyes global expansion
Bourdais, Moss headline second batch of Sebring's 75 all-time greatest drivers
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 43 min
Bourdais, Moss headline second batch of Sebring's 75 all-time greatest drivers
IndyCar driver and Fox Sports reporter Jack Harvey announces cancer diagnosis
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 52 min
IndyCar driver and Fox Sports reporter Jack Harvey announces cancer diagnosis
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe