Sauber to extend Ferrari link-up

Formula One’s top independent team, Sauber, have confirmed they will again use Ferrari engines for 2005.

The Switzerland-based outfit have used Ferrari powerplants – rebadged Petronas in honour of their sponsors – since 1997 and will maintain that relationship next season.

Sauber are the leading team in Formula One without the backing of a major car manufacturer, and technical director Willi Rampf hopes their continued link to world champions Ferrari will maintain that status.

He said: “In the coming year, as well, we will be using engines Ferrari are making on behalf of our partner Petronas.

“Overall, we are very satisfied with the engines supplied by Ferrari, which means that it absolutely makes sense for us to continue this co-operation.

“In 2005 it will be entering its ninth year already. Especially in the field of engineering, continuity is very important.”

Next season, however, Sauber will revert to building their own gearboxes after taking Ferrari units for 2004.

Rampf added: “This year’s solution has been an exception. All of our former cars were always fitted with Sauber gearboxes. Our specialists have already started to work on the new gearbox.

“Retaining our in-house technical competence is an essential requirement as far as we are concerned.

“This gives us technical independence, thus enabling us to make any adjustments to changing general conditions which may be required.”

Sauber may have decided on their technical set-up for 2005, but their driver line-up remains in question.

Brazilian Felipe Massa is likely to be retained, but with Giancarlo Fisichella leaving for Renault, team boss Peter Sauber must find a new star.

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve has been linked, but International Formula 3000 champion Vitantonio Liuzzi would seem a safer bet.

Liuzzi is backed by Sauber sponsors Red Bull, and Ferrari are known to be admirers of the Italian. A move to Sauber would enable Ferrari to monitor his progress at close quarters thanks to the relationship between the two teams.

Liuzzi will stake his claim for a race seat at a test this week and he hopes to convince Sauber.

He said: “We still don’t know about next year at the moment.

“I have the test this week and this was the best present I could get from Mr Sauber.

“I hope the test will go well and I hope to get more chances after Brazil [the final race of the season].”