Sauber denies issues with Russian partnership

The Sauber F1 Team has reacted to reports recently published in the German media claiming that it's financially important deal with a Russian group of investors would be in doubt.

The team denies there are any problems with the previously announced deal, and notes that the first payments have been made, contrary to the "erroneous reports and rumours circulating in certain media"

A statements reads: "The collaboration with Russian partners, as announced by us, is progressing well. The contract with driver Sergey Sirotkin is in place. Preparations for his involvement in the team, as likewise announced, will start next week following the end of the customary holiday period in the sector.

Beyond this, initial payments to the team have already been made, as per contract. A financial involvement on the part of NIAT (National Institute of Aviation Technologies) was never mooted. The plan envisaged a purely technical partnership. We are astounded at the heedlessness with which some media are prepared to spread false reports and rumours."

The issue for Sauber is a vote of the Board of the National Institute of Aviation Technologies (NIAT) in Russia against the proposed investment in the Sauber Formula 1 team. As one of the three partners that Sauber finalised a deal with on 15 July, it supposedly also involved financial support, contrary to Sauber's own statement. German newspaper 'Bild' even went as far as claiming 400 million euro as the amount that would have to come from NIAT.