Sauber boss admits delay in Russian rescue deal

Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn has recently admitted Sauber’s Russian rescue deal is facing some delays.

There were reports previously of investment in the struggling Swiss team by Russian government-linked entities but there were also reports that the amount is yet to flow into the Swiss team. Now the statement by Kaltenborn has confirmed these reports of non receipt of the amount.

In fact the German newspaper Welt has reported that Ferrari’s ultimatum of a EUR 9 million engine supply bill being paid by the end of the August break is still in effect. Supposedly the entire Sauber deal has to be signed off by none other than Russian president Vladimir Putin and till now he has not signed the same.

The German newspaper quoted her as saying that the delay is only because of bureaucratic obstacles and complex questions of detail, and did not elaborate on any other details.

Another German newspaper Bild-Zeitung also reported that team boss Kaltenborn and founder Peter Sauber have kicked off their August break with a trip to Moscow.

The correspondents Nicola Pohl, Frank Schneider and Helmut Uhl reported that the Sauber chiefs’ visit to Russia is to sign the contracts with potential sponsors, because no money is yet to flow.