Peter Sauber eyes return to retirement

Peter Sauber has revealed he is still on track to return to retirement in the next few years.

The Swiss called off his retirement late last year when BMW pulled out of formula one, which risked the livelihoods of the staff at the Hinwil based team he had founded.

But, according to an interview with Le Matin newspaper, he is now rebuilding the team with an eye on returning to the golf course with his wife.

“I always said I didn’t want to be sitting on the pitwall with my headphones on at 70.  I stand by what I said,” said the 67-year-old.

“But I’m going to stay at least until we are able to stabilise the team in a financial sense,” insisted Sauber.

That will involve choosing a new colour for the Ferrari-powered cars for 2011, given the arrival of the Mexican telcoms giant Telmex as sponsor.

“I knew we wouldn’t find a sponsor this year.  And unfortunately BMW gave us a car that was painted completely white, which made things difficult.

“But don’t worry, next year we will have sponsors, without which it would not be viable,” he said.

Meanwhile, a new report in Italy’s La Gazzetta dello Sport claims Ross Brawn is set to take a more backseat role at Mercedes GP.

“It will happen, but not for next year,” the Briton insisted.
 © RIF | GMM