Ferrari Happy for Sauber to Buy Engines Elsewhere

Ferrari would be happy for Sauber to buy their engines from someone else, team boss Jean Todt said on Friday.

Sauber and BMW confirmed this week that they were discussing a deal, although nothing has been agreed yet. The Swiss-based Formula One team have already replaced Ferrari's tyre-supplier Bridgestone with Michelin.

"When we started to supply Sauber, we did that against our will," Todt told reporters at the Maranello factory launch of Ferrari's F2005 car.

"We did that because Peter Sauber would have been without an engine and it would have been the end of his team.

"That is the reason we decided to support him against the financial contribution and if Peter Sauber has the opportunity to get a better deal with the manufacturer he is right to do it," added Todt.

"As yet, nothing has been decided but I hope Peter Sauber can find an agreement with an engine manufacturer as it will allow him to secure the future of his company. He has been doing a great job and it's very difficult.

"We did what we did not for financial income but to help Peter Sauber."

Ferrari have been constructors' champions for the past six years and their reliable and powerful engine has played a big part in keeping Sauber competitive against wealthier manufacturer teams.

Sauber have used the engines, branded Petronas after the team's Malaysian oil sponsor, since 1997. Before that they used Ford and Mercedes units.

The team have Canada's 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve and Brazilian Felipe Massa, a former Ferrari tester, as their drivers.