BMW Sauber F1 Team supports Esteban Gutièrrez

The BMW Sauber F1 Team is taking 18-year-old Esteban Gutièrrez under its wing. The Mexican driver will attend a number of the Grands Prix in 2010, observe the goings-on in the pits, listen in to the radio communications and be present at meetings. Added to which, he will be incorporated into the team’s driver development programme. This means that he will follow the same training regime as race drivers Pedro de la Rosa and Kamui Kobayashi, and his physical condition will be monitored and evaluated in the same way.

“We view this link-up as a kind of sponsorship arrangement,” explains team boss Peter Sauber. “Nowadays you can only give young drivers a very limited amount of help in gaining a foothold in Formula One. With the limited number of testing opportunities, it is important for the teams to have the race drivers in the cars during those sessions. However, the world of Formula One is so complex that you can learn a great deal just by watching and listening to what’s going on. That’s the opportunity we’re giving Esteban. And we will also help him to get himself in F1-trim physically.”

Gutièrrez also gave his thoughts: “I felt very comfortable at the young driver test at Jerez in December and enjoyed every second, but I also saw that I still have a lot to learn before I’m ready to be a good Formula One driver. Experience behind the wheel is, of course, the most important thing, but I’m under no illusions. I’m happy that the BMW Sauber F1 Team has shown so much confidence in me by giving me the chance to look behind the scenes and learn about the sport. And at the same time, I will be training hard with an instructor, which will definitely help me achieve my goals in the GP3 series.”

Gutièrrez will line up for the ART Grand Prix Team in the new GP3 race series this season. Seven of the eight GP3 races in 2010 will take place on the Formula One support programme.

BMW Sauber F1 Team takes off with Pilatus

A key factor in ensuring that Formula One teams operate efficiently is flexible travel planning and the option of landing at small airports close to race tracks. With this in mind, the BMW Sauber F1 Team has entered a partnership with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. The Swiss plane manufacturer will make its nine-seater PC-12 NG – in team livery – available for European flights.

Team Principal and owner Peter Sauber is confident that “This partnership will gain us valuable time at many races and test drives. We value Pilatus’ reputation very highly and envisage plenty of synergies in joint incentive events as well as technology communications.”

Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, Oscar J. Schwenk, commented: “Pilatus Aircraft Ltd is delighted to be able to partner the BMW Sauber Team during the 2010 season. In motor racing as in aviation, the highest quality, optimum precision and perfect teamwork are vital success factors. As Switzerland’s sole aircraft manufacturer, we wish Switzerland’s only Formula One team a high-flying season full of precision landings.”

19-Jan-10: Pedro de la Rosa Claims BMW Sauber Seat

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Today is the 19th January 2010 and this is F1 Minute.

BMW Sauber have confirmed their full line up today, with Pedro de la Rosa joining Kamui Kobayashi for the upcoming season. The Spaniard is 38, and has been with McLaren as test driver for seven years, with his last stint behind the wheel in a race in 2006. Peter Sauber says: “Pedro has spent many years working for a top team at the highest technical level. We as a team stand to gain from his experience, and the same goes for young Kamui. The combination of a seasoned racer and an up-and-coming young driver has repeatedly proved a very fruitful one. I don’t expect either of them to disappoint in 2010.”

Elsewhere, FOTA have elected Martin Whitmarsh as their new chairman for the year as Luca di Montezemolo steps down. Stefano Domenicali of Ferrari takes over as vice chairman. Also voted in was Christian Horner who takes charge of the Sporting Regulations working group.

That’s all for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

Sauber Reorganise Directors for 2010 Season

Peter Sauber takes a less hands on role, and Kovi sends mixed signals.

This is F1 Minute for the 8th January 2010.

With Peter Sauber taking back control of his team from BMW, he has been spending some time sorting out who’s in charge of what. Sauber will be the president of the team, heading up the board of directors, and will also take the role of Team Principal. Apparently, though, he won’t be doing much in the way of operations, instead handing the day to day tasks to Monisha Kaltenborn as managing director. Monisha has been on the board since 2001 and she has been part of the legal team since before then, but will now take a more hands on role. It will be good to see a female getting involved at a top level of F1.

Quickly to finish, Heikki Kovalainen has been talking to Autosport during a seat fitting for his new Lotus team, and says being at McLaren taught him a lot and he is a much better driver in every area since his days at Renault, but at the same time he’s always been a good driver. Mixed signals.

That will do for now, have a great weekend and join me on Monday for another F1 Minute.

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08-Jan-10: Sauber Reorganise Directors for 2010 Season

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This is F1 Minute for the 8th January 2010.

With Peter Sauber taking back control of his team from BMW, he has been spending some time sorting out who’s in charge of what. Sauber will be the president of the team, heading up the board of directors, and will also take the role of Team Principal. Apparently, though, he won’t be doing much in the way of operations, instead handing the day to day tasks to Monisha Kaltenborn as managing director. Monisha has been on the board since 2001 and she has been part of the legal team since before then, but will now take a more hands on role. It will be good to see a female getting involved at a top level of F1.

Quickly to finish, Heikki Kovalainen has been talking to Autosport during a seat fitting for his new Lotus team, and says being at McLaren taught him a lot and he is a much better driver in every area since his days at Renault, but at the same time he’s always been a good driver. Mixed signals.

That will do for now, have a great weekend and join me on Monday for another F1 Minute.

BMW Sauber F1 Team with new management

Following the purchase of the BMW Sauber F1 Team at the end of November and the return of the BMW employees to Munich, Peter Sauber can now present the company’s new management structure.

Sauber himself is the new President of the Board of Directors and will lead the Hinwil-based team as Team Principal at trackside. However, he will not take on any operational tasks in Hinwil.

The new Managing Director at the team’s headquarters is Monisha Kaltenborn (38), who had previously held the post of Head of Legal Affairs since 1998 and has been a member of the Board of Management since 2001. In her former capacity she also looked after relations with the world governing body the FIA, the rights holder FOM and the teams’ association FOTA. An Austrian national, Kaltenborn completed a law degree at the University of Vienna before graduating as a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics.
Alex Sauber (36) is now responsible for the team’s marketing activities. The son of team owner Peter Sauber has worked in Swiss professional football for the last two years with Neue Grasshopper Fussball AG, most recently as Commercial Director. After graduating with a law degree in Zurich, he worked for two years at a firm specialising in sports and media law. Between October 2006 and October 2007 he completed an MBA in Sport Management in Liverpool.

Technical Director Willy Rampf (56) is responsible for the engineering side of the team, while Urs Jampen (62) returns to the post of Finance Director after 18 months away. Jürg Flach (40) joins the Board of Management as Director Operations with overall responsibility for production. The mechanical engineering graduate has been at the company since 1999 and was previously responsible for project management.

“Formula One is constantly changing,” says Peter Sauber. “This division of responsibilities not only meets the demands of the sport, but also freshens things up within the company. I will keep myself informed on all important developments, but will leave operational matters to the management in Hinwil.”

Kobayashi to drive for BMW Sauber F1 Team from 2010

Kamui Kobayashi has been signed on as a BMW Sauber F1 Team driver as of season 2010. The 23-year-old Japanese drew attention to himself in 2009 with two strong performances as a substitute driver for Toyota.

“I’m very much looking forward to working together with Kamui,” said Peter Sauber. “In the final two Grand Prix of last season he was granted an unexpected chance to show his skills, and he made impressive use of it. Particularly in the Abu Dhabi race he demonstrated not only that he can drive fast and aggressively, but also his ability to successfully implement a strategy. I am convinced he has a great deal of potential and will be able to make the most of it in our team.”

“Ever since the start of my career I have dreamed of racing in Formula One,” said Kobayashi. “Now this dream has come true. I am very happy that my two races in 2009 have earned me a cockpit place. I will do my very best for Peter Sauber’s team and I am proud to be able to carry on flying the Japanese flag in Formula One.”

Kamui Kobayashi was born on 13th September 1986 in the Japanese city of Amagasaki. He took up karting at the age of nine. Toyota’s Young Drivers’ Programme was the passport to Formula Renault in 2004 and 2005, after which he took part in the Formula 3 Euro Series, winning the race in Magny-Cours, France in 2007. Further podium places earned him fourth place in the final rankings – and with it promotion. At the end of 2007, Toyota had already signed him on as a Formula One reserve driver from 2008 on.

At the same time, Kobayashi was competing in the GP2 Series in Asia and Europe in 2008 and 2009. He claimed an early maiden win in the European GP2, and in winter 2008/2009 he took a convincing title in the GP2 Asia.

Kamui Kobayashi lives in Paris. He speaks Japanese and English.
He is 1.70 m tall and weighs 63 kg

17-Dec-09: Kobayashi Signs to Sauber for 2010

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This is F1 Minute and it’s the 17th December 2009.

Sauber have confirmed their first driver for the 2010 season in the shape of Kamui Kobayashi. The Japanese driver took part in two Grand Prix events this year for Toyota, deputising for Timo Glock. Now he has been signed up to the former BMW team and says he will be doing his best: “Ever since the start of my career I have dreamed of racing in Formula 1. Now this dream has come true. I am very happy that my two races in 2009 have earned me a cockpit place.” Peter Sauber added that Kamui showed great speed and aggression and that he knows how to work with a good strategy.

Elsewhere, yesterday, Felipe Massa completed another test in an F2007 at Mugello. He finished about 90 laps over the course of two days, the first being interrupted by weather. After he was done he said: “I was very quick immediately and nothing seems to have changed in my driving style compared to before the accident.”

That’s it for today, please join me tomorrow for another F1 Minute.

Quotes Roundup – Week Ending 6th December

The very best from the mouths of those in the know.

Young Driver Test

More sign-ups for 2010…

• “It is impressive what the car does, how predictable and precise its reactions are, and how high the overall grip level is. But I have to admit I am also a little bit disappointed because being a racing driver you always want to be the fastest!” Alexander Rossi, BMW
  
• “I am very happy to be able to drive for Sauber. It will be a second day for me – and it’s always good to get two days of testing instead of one. It will be very interesting to compare the differences between the two teams and the two cars.” Bertrand Baguette, Renault then Sauber
  
• “I don’t have any concrete plans for next year but I hope that I can build a solid relationship with Force India for the future off the back of this test.” Paul di Resta, Force India
  

Young Drivers and Ferrari

The red team are keen on getting youngsters in the car…

• “Ferrari contacted my manager Willi Weber. They had a bit of interest and there was some contact. It didn’t come out that way, as we know, and I think it worked out for the best because I was able to finish GP2, win it and start F1 clean with Williams, who are a great team.” Nico Hulkenberg
  
• “We are very happy to do this long-term deal, which was completed a short time ago. His role is undefined for the moment, but from now on, he will be at Ferrari’s disposal. His first Ferrari drive is obviously at this young driver test.” Nicolas Todt, manager of Jules Bianchi
  
• “It is very difficult to explain how I feel, but it is something very special. I know this is the first step on a journey that could turn out very nicely, but I’m equally aware that there is still a long way to go to Formula 1.” Jules Bianchi
  

Sauber Become 13th Team

Peter Sauber takes the helm once more…

• “The team can now turn its full attention to preparing for the forthcoming season. We have no doubt that Peter Sauber and his team will justify their nomination through good performance, and we wish them all every success in the future.” Mario Theissen
  
• “Subject to their signing the Concorde Agreement, BMW Sauber will be awarded the 13th entry in the Championship, taking the place of the departing Toyota team.” FIA Statement
  
• “This is excellent news for the workforce in Hinwil. After many weeks of uncertainty, we have finally secured our place on the grid for 2010. Now we can enter into concrete negotiations with drivers and sponsors.” Peter Sauber
  

27-Nov-09: Force India Confirm Sutil and Liuzzi for 2010

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This is F1 Minute for the 27th November 2009.

Lots of news today, starting with the fact that Force India have confirmed Liuzzi and Sutil for 2010. The team will be running the same drivers they finished this season with in an attempt to keep some consistency and continue their upward trend. Mallya says: “I am sure we have one of the most dynamic line-ups on the grid and I hope this will stand us in good stead in what we all hope will be a transitional year for the team.”

Elsewhere, BMW have confirmed they will sell the team back to original owner Peter Sauber, who will buy on condition that they have a grid slot for 2010. This is by no means an easy feat as they don’t at the moment, but it is a piece of good news for the team after the Qadbak investment fell through.

Finally, Renault have announced their young drivers for next week’s test in the shape of Renault 3.5 champ Bertrand Baguette, test driver Lucas di Grassi and China’s Ho-Pin Tung.

That’s all for now, have a fabulous weekend, and I’ll be back on Monday with another F1 Minute.

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