Sauber has been given the final slot on the 2010 grid engine months of uncertainty.
The original deal with Qadbak came too late for the team to be given one of the original grid slots up for grabs, with the final slot going to Lotus. However when Toyota decided to pull out of the sport, Sauber were handed a lifeline.
Toyota and the FIA have been in talks over whether Toyota’s withdrawal from the sport was a breach of contract meaning Toyota may have had to sell their operation. However the FIA have now confimrmed that Sauber’s application to join the Formula One 2010 championship has been accepted and the team will be allowed to race next season.
A statement from the FIA reads, “The FIA has written to inform BMW Sauber AG that their application for an entry in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship has been successful.”
“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.
“The FIA has worked closely with the Commercial Rights Holder and the teams involved over recent weeks and is grateful for their support in achieving the best outcome for the sport.”
