Official: BMW Sauber is sold!

BMW announced that it had sold the BMW-Sauber team to a Swiss foundation named Qadbak Investments. The team is thus expected to participate in the 2010 Formula 1 championship.

The information, which came in early afternoon, is not a surprise. The FIA had already hinted at it in a press release this morning regarding Lotus’s entry in 2010.

A solid investor has therefore been found for the team based in Hinwil, BMW stated in a press release.

« Qadbak Investments’ interests in the team will be represented by Lionel Fischer. BMW wishes Qadbak and the Sauber team all the success for the 2010 season and beyond. »

The sale of the team coincides with the announcement by the FIA stating that the 13th team for the 2010 championship is Lotus, with BMW as a possible 14th team in the event that one of the current teams is unable to be present on the grid in 2010.

There is little chance that the grid will consist of 14 teams next year given that the specifications for renovating the facilities on the circuits provided for a maximum of 13 teams. Nevertheless, BMW Sauber has stated that it expects to be present on the grid in Melbourne next year.

«We are pleased to confirm that the FIA has indicated that we can have a spot in the 2010 Formula 1 championship,» is stated in a press release.

The team expects to be on the grid in Melbourne in 2010, concluded the statement.

With two new teams in a day, the FIA will have to make a choice. For now, it seems to prefer Lotus over Sauber. Sauber will therefore be the reserve team in case one of the currently present teams were to leave F1 next year. The current concerns are about Renault and Toyota…