BMW-Sauber keeps its name for now!

BMW-Sauber is keeping its name for the moment as the German car manufacturer has bowed out and Peter Sauber has taken over the team once again. BMW announced last November that it had chosen to sell the team to Peter Sauber after deciding to leave Formula 1. In the meantime, an agreement with Qadbak fell through, and many thought the team would revert to its former name ‘Sauber’.

However, the entry for the 2010 season was submitted under the name ‘BMW,’ and the team cannot simply change the name without the approval of the F1 Commission. They have not yet made a formal request for a name change. A spokesperson stated that the plans were not yet finalized.

The team’s current name is BMW Sauber F1 Team, and that’s the name we have entered on the registration form for the 2010 championship. As of today, there is no set deadline to submit a name change request.

This name change will need the support of rival teams, as well as the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone. The change from Brawn GP to Mercedes GP was approved only on an exceptional basis last year.

A statement released after the latest F1 Commission meeting in Monaco in December stated: « The F1 Commission agreed that the Brawn team is allowed to change its name to Mercedes. The team will continue to receive its payments based on its historical performance. This was granted on a one-time and exceptional basis due to Mercedes Benz’s long-term involvement and commitment in Formula 1. »