No VW for Sauber

UPDATE If you ask (CEO) Dr. Bernd Pischetsrieder when Volkswagen will join the F1 grid, you'll hear a variation of the word 'never.' But, at the Kitzbuehel charity ski event in Austria, attended notably by 'impresario' Bernie Ecclestone, the f1.com website tried again. Bernd replied: ''First I have to bring the house in order and then I am ready for new challenges.'' McLaren's Mansour Ojjeh, the FIA's Herbie Blash, and former grand prix drivers Gerhard Berger and Niki Lauda, also showed up on the Austrian ski slope. Asked if key F1 decisions are made at the annual event, founder Berger grinned: ''After drinking some schnapps with Bernie, many things look … ready for a decision.'' 01/23/05 Peter Sauber was quick to scotch rumors about Volkswagen entering Formula One. Despite his team being linked with the car manufacturer Sauber thinks that Ford's departure will also terminate the German manufacturer's interest.

"I think Ford is the first of many to leave," Sauber prophesized to Autosport. The car industry is not in a situation where it can spend a lot of money." "I have talked with manufacturers many times – those already in the sport and those who are not. Sooner or later Sauber may go with a manufacturer but I don't think at the moment there are any new ones to come in… I don't think Volkswagen are in a situation to do that."