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[scotty]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/78822

Theissen confirms Ferrari engine deal

By Jonathan Noble and Matt Beer Thursday, September 24th 2009, 13:19 GMT

Mario Theissen has confirmed that the BMW Sauber team will be Ferrari powered if it can get a place in the 2010 field under its new ownership.

After BMW's decision to withdraw from Formula 1, the squad has been rescued by the Qadbak investment group, but its chances of racing next season depend on the FIA convincing the rest of the pitlane to allow the entry to expand to 14 teams, or another team dropping out. BMW's original place in the entry has gone to the new incarnation of the Lotus team.

The Sauber squad has been strongly linked to a return to the Ferrari engine deal it had prior to the BMW takeover, and in Singapore today current team boss Theissen confirmed that this had been finalised.

"It will run a Ferrari power-train," he said.

Theissen said it was not too soon to decide whether he would remain in charge of the new-look team.

"My personal future is fully open, and I will keep it open until the end of the season," he said. "It would not be helpful to mix up my own situation with all the efforts to secure the future of the team. And I am not concerned that there will be [too little] time later this year."

But he believes the team has a bright future, and that it will definitely be in the field despite the current uncertainty.

"We are very confident to be on the grid next year, and the new investor apparently is quite strong," Theissen said.

"He wants to continue with the team in a strong state, not just as an also-ran. That is an excellent perspective for the team. We could not really expect that.

"So there is strong morale. The team is really positive. We have a good upgrade for the car here, and we want to achieve something in the final four races."

[myownalias]

I was expecting a return to Ferrari power but whether or not they'll be on the grid for 2010 is another matter, 14 teams will be stretching it for many circuits as most circuits only have 13 garages... will Sauber be on a patch of grass next to the final pit garage? the two lowest placed teams share a garage?

[Jamie]

Surprised. He wants to win again lol

[Denthúl]

Awesome. I hope FOTA and the FIA can reach an agreement for there to be 28 cars on the grid next season instead of 26.

[texasmr2]

Very very interesting, I look forward to the outcome.

[Gaz]

YAY now Ferrari can have there mobile chicanes again.

Jean Todlt "you need to slow down the Williams cars peter"

[texasmr2]

YAY now Ferrari can have there mobile chicanes again.

Jean Todlt "you need to slow down the Williams cars peter"

The reply then will most likely be "atleast we do not have to ask McLaren to slow down".

[Rivelution]

Awesome. I hope FOTA and the FIA can reach an agreement for there to be 28 cars on the grid next season instead of 26.

I doubt it. I wont be surprised if one team leaves after this season, and when I mean "one team," I mean Renault or Toyota.

[Gaz]

YAY now Ferrari can have there mobile chicanes again.

Jean Todlt "you need to slow down the Williams cars peter"

The reply then will most likely be "atleast we do not have to ask McLaren to slow down".

i see what you did there.

[texasmr2]

YAY now Ferrari can have there mobile chicanes again.

Jean Todlt "you need to slow down the Williams cars peter"

The reply then will most likely be "atleast we do not have to ask McLaren to slow down".

i see what you did there.

Glad you caught that as the sword is double edged .

[Jabberwocky]

Awesome. I hope FOTA and the FIA can reach an agreement for there to be 28 cars on the grid next season instead of 26.

I doubt it. I wont be surprised if one team leaves after this season, and when I mean "one team," I mean Renault or Toyota.

I agree mate, I would even suggest adding STR to that list

[Rivelution]

Awesome. I hope FOTA and the FIA can reach an agreement for there to be 28 cars on the grid next season instead of 26.

I doubt it. I wont be surprised if one team leaves after this season, and when I mean "one team," I mean Renault or Toyota.

I agree mate, I would even suggest adding STR to that list

Thats another possibility. They have RBR's chassis this year and they're not doing very well. Can you imagine when they make their own car?? They'll probably just blame their drivers