Sauber Grateful Despite Losing Fifth Place

Team boss Peter Sauber was grateful despite the Swiss squad losing fifth place in the Constructors' Championship following the final race of the season in Japan.

Sauber were one of four teams fighting for fifth position, but the Hinwill-based outfit failed to score any points in today's race. The Honda-powered BAR team scored eight points that allowed them to jump ahead of Sauber in the standings.

"Of course we all are disappointed that we couldn't keep our fifth place in the World Championship for Constructors, but we must not be ungrateful," said Sauber, whose team finished in sixth place.

"Before the last race in Indianapolis we were only ninth in the Championship and only climbed to fifth thanks to the fantastic performance of the drivers, the team and, of course, Bridgestone."

German Nick Heidfeld was the only Sauber driver to finish the race today, in ninth position. Heinz-Harald Frentzen, meanwhile, retired when his engine expired. Both men are leaving the team this year.

"We thank Nick Heidfeld and Heinz-Harald Frentzen for a good and professional job in a very difficult season for us," he added. "Hats off to BAR Honda for a great result today and for taking fifth place in the Championship. And congratulations to Ferrari and Michael Schumacher.

"With this unique success they write themselves into a completely new chapter of motorsport history."