Ferrari Engines to Power Sauber Again in 2005

Sauber will continue to use Ferrari engines next year but will revert to their own gearbox, the Swiss-based Formula One team said on Tuesday.

"We will be using engines Ferrari are making on behalf of our partner Petronas," said technical director Willi Rampf in a team statement.

"We are very satisfied with the engines supplied by Ferrari, which means that it absolutely makes sense for us to continue this co-operation."

Sauber have used Ferrari engines for eight seasons after switching from Ford at the end of 1996.

They also used a Ferrari gearbox for the first time this year but Rampf said that was an exception.

"All our former cars, from the C12 to the C22, were always fitted with Sauber gearboxes," he said. "Our specialists have already started to work on the new gearbox for the C24."

The new car will be the first Sauber has developed completely in their new wind tunnel and Rampf is convinced it will be competitive. Sauber lie sixth in the championship.