BMW Sauber team could be rescued by Swiss government

Rumours ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix in Monza this weekend have suggested that the Swiss government could be on the verge of putting together a package to rescue the BMW Sauber team.
 
BMW announced it will be withdrawing from Formula One at the end of the current season. The German car manufacturer, which took over Sauber in 2005, cited "current developments in motorsport" as the reason for their decision.
 
BMW's team had given themselves three years to win the world championship and won their first race in 2008 but have amassed only 18 points this season.
 
Reports a few days ago suggested that Peter Sauber, who still owns 20 per cent of the team, was making some headway with his attempts to attract alternative investment. The BMW team has strong links with Malaysia through its sponsorship deal with Petronas, and it was rumoured that the Malaysian government itself was considering a significant investment.
 
However, the latest noises from Monza could mean that Sauber won't have so far to go to attract buyers. With the team's headquarters in Sauber's native Hinwil, Switzerland, a financial move from the Swiss government would, in all likelihood, be more than welcome.

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