No need for sabotage, it's a Sauber. They are slow by definition
Why would Sauber do that? That's less constructor money they would get for next year by sabotaging their own car.
Phill, Sauber is in F1, and they are very good, and they are professionals. IF he gets in, they will not sabotage him. But the 'silly season' just keeps coming up with new 'stuff' doesn't it?
While I agree that Sauber blew it on this one, what is VDG thinking? What F1 team will touch him after this? (not that any team would want him...) F1/racing is a team sport. No one person is above the team. I think he should have negotiated a buy out and tried to find another drive - admittedly probably NOT in F1. He is damaged goods now. I am sure Sauber figured the new money influx from both new drivers would cover the buy out AND give them more budget for the year than VDG brought.
I think it's a huge mistake by Sauber. Not a positive corporate image to start at the eve of the season.
No doubt their paid drivers will have a provision in their contract whereby if they don't pay their money they don't race. ️Remember Max chilton lost his drive (almost) for a race last year when he didn't cough up the funds. Sauber just look like idiots (and they are)
Sauber's appeal fails - Pitpass.com No surprise. At every level Sauber has lost. They made this situation and now must live with it...inept. VIVA Checo! I fully agree - http://www.planetf1.com/driver/55667788/36456/Perez-Teams-should-treat-drivers-better
No dammage here whatsoever. Lauda took it to Ferrari when he came back, and Ferrari had to run 3 cars at Monza. Lauda was able to find rides elsewhere....
Is vdG still a pay driver? (hard to believe he was being paid big bucks) If so, will he have to pony up in order to meet the court order? I assume that he is looking for specific performance under the terms of an in-force contract. Unless the court is also imposing damages, he may have to pay for his ride. Even after Sauber pay his lawyers. PS: I share Mark Weber's opinion of the Dutchman's driving ability. But, for the small teams money talks...or sues.
I don't feel VdG is to blame, Sauber is totally to blame. Last year when it was mentioned that they signed 2 new drivers while they still had 2 under contract (including Sutil), they said they knew what they were doing. Obviously not, lost all respect for them...................
For the time being! Not in recent years! They're not exactly handling their 2015 driver situation very professionally! Really? - IF he gets in the car, My monies on Sauber making little effort to help him in order to sack him for poor performances compared to his team mate, after which they can run the driver they really wanted in the car who, strangely enough, will be a closer match to his team mate when it comes to outright performance.
whats been said during fp1: - van de guarde paid 8mill upfront last year (or his sponsor did) which wouldve helped sauber a long way last season and then they reneged on the deal. really makes me dislike sauber. - sauber wouldnt give him a track pass or whatever to get access - had to get one from somewhere else
Spot on! Watching practice, while dismissing Buxton's abuse of the English language, Sauber should be ashamed of themselves. PS, The blonde in the Redbull garage....
SKY says there is an enforcement case in the local court being heard. Either they take Sauber assets or arrest Monisha. Ineptitude continues via Sauber.
My take is that Sauber knew exactly what they were doing in dumping vdg - what Sauber has done is no different from what a million other businesses have done to survive - whatever it took. This isn't incompetence, it's a mess created out of desperation. And they are still doing whatever it takes, a day at a time, a session at a time, to stay alive. The "safety" argument against vdg was a laugher, but all they can do is dance. Sauber are well past shame, or embarrassment.
In the team managers interview Will Buxton flat out asked Monisha is she felt she should quit! She didn't discuss the situation at all, least she's getting good legal advice in this regard.
I've no issues with them taking another driver over my fellow countryman (even though Erricson is useless). The issue is that they completely and utterly mismanaged the situation like a bunch of baboons. For a cash strapped team, it's not completely out of the question to write the contracts in such a way that it favours them when someone with more cash comes around. They're idiots, and they'll likely pay heavily for that fact. It sucks because I've always supported Sauber and it seems like Monisha might have mismanaged it into the ground in just 2 and a bit years.
