Despite multiple media reports over the weekend at Hockenheim, Peter Sauber has refused to be drawn on rumours that he has held talks with German car giant Volkswagen about a possible future partnership in F1.
According to the German website
Motorsport-Total.com, VW has been in negotiations with Sauber about a possible deal, although well-informed sources are quoted as stating that the chance of an agreement being struck are currently no greater than 30 per cent.
Talks are said to have taken place between Sauber and VW CEO Martin Winterkorn earlier this year, having been brokered by former Mercedes chief – and long-time friend of Sauber – Jurgen Hubbert.
Discussions with Sauber are reported to have come about after it became apparent that Volkswagen wouldn't be able to broker a deal to link up with McLaren, given that McLaren's new road car – the MP4-12C – is in direct competition with the Audi R8.
Rumours linking Sauber and Volkswagen surfaced over the course of the weekend in Germany, where the team boss faced questions about the future, replying cryptically with a simple 'Indeed it is so' when asked if he had hear the rumours.
Sauber also made comment on reports that former technical director James Key could be set for a return to the sport with
Toro Rosso as a replacement for Giorgio Ascanelli, who seems to set to leave the Faenza-based team due to differing views over the ongoing development of its car.
"I have heard that,” he said curtly. “That's enough."
Key left his role with Sauber on the eve of the new season and is reported to have been given the role of
developing a new Lotus LMP2 sportscar for Colin Kolles' Kodewa team.