2 replies to this topic

[The First MH]

I got this from Formula1.com:

Formula1.com can exclusively reveal that Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz has sold his majority shares in the Sauber team.
The Austrian energy drinks brand had been title sponsor to the Swiss team before an alleged falling-out between the two parties, after Sauber failed to take up the services of the Red Bull backed Enrique Bernoldi for 2001. Instead, they chose to run Kimi Räikkönen.

Red Bull provided some sponsorship to Bernoldi's eventual drive at Arrows last year, and when their agreement with Sauber ran out at the end of the season, they announced an exclusive deal with Arrows from 2002.

Peter Sauber confirmed to formula1.com at the time that: "Mateschitz owns the majority of the shares in the company, while I control the majority of the voting rights."


However, this is no longer the case. "Mateschitz has sold his shares in the Sauber team, although it will not be made public knowledge for another two weeks," a source exclusively told formula1.com.

The same insider speculated that two of the teams current sponsors, Credit Suisse Private Banking or Petronas, could have been the buyer. In fact, Credit Suisse had been rumoured to be an interested party some months back although the bank denied such interest. However, it would seem unlikely that either entity would buy shares with no voting rights unless the price was very low indeed.

Interestingly, there had been speculation that Red Bull could return to Sauber, despite their announcement about a more serious partnership with Arrows over the past month, but this now seems very unlikely.
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What do you think?

Wonder which one of the two he sold them to? Also, does this mean his sponsorship income has decreased (and Arrows' similarly increased)?

[HSJ]

Hopefully the new owner is someone solid enough to stick with the team in the long run and let Sauber deal with the racing, including picking the drivers. He's done better job than ANY other boss (bar RD when he snapped KR ) lately. In fact IMO Sauber had the most naturally talented duo last year on the grid.

Hmm, maybe Credit Suisse would be good? I dunno...

[AdrianM]

I can't believe that Red Bull dude is still pissed of that Sauber went for KR over Bernoldi. His company got much more exposure with Raikkonen than it ever would have with Bernoldi. I hope Peter can find someone that will write some cheques but allow him to go racing Sauber is a great little team and I really respect Peter for taking that risk. Hopefully Massa will provide similar results for Sauber.

In fact IMO Sauber had the most naturally talented duo last year on the grid.

I agree. I think in a few years we could find Heidfeld and Kimi both at McLaren fighting for the title.