BMW Sauber name to remain for now

With BMW having announced in November that it had opted to sell the team back to Peter Sauber, in the wake of its decision to quit Formula 1 and a failed deal with Qadbak, it had been expected that the team would swiftly revert back to its previous 'Sauber' name.

However, with the team's 2010 entry having been lodged last season with 'BMW' in the title, the team cannot simply amend the name without the approval of the Formula 1 Commission.

The team has not yet made a formal application to change the name, and a spokesperson told AUTOSPORT that plans had not yet been finalised to do so.

"The team is currently called the BMW Sauber F1 Team, and this is the name which we stated in the entry form for the 2010 championship," he said. "At this point in time there is no firm date as to when we will submit an application for a name-change."

The changing of a name will require the support of rival teams, plus that of the FIA and Bernie Ecclestone. Even Brawn GP's switch to Mercedes GP - plus the fact it would keep its television rights money - was only approved on an 'exceptional' basis late last year.

A statement issued after the last F1 Commission meeting in Monaco in December said: "The F1 Commission agreed that the Brawn team will be allowed to change its chassis name from Brawn to Mercedes. The team will continue to receive payments based on its historical performance.

"This has been granted on a one-off exceptional basis due to Mercedes-Benz's long-term involvement and commitment to Formula 1."