Sauber Lose Chief Designer

Peter Sauber said on Wednesday that chief designer Sergio Rinland will leave his Sauber team before the start of the 2001 season in March.

After pulling the wraps off Rinland's latest car - the C20 - Sauber announced that the Argentine designer will be replaced.

"Sergio is leaving at the end of the month," said Sauber. "I cannot say who is coming in but it will be a big surprise."

Sauber unveiled the new C20 car that will be driven by new drivers Kimi Raikkonen and Nick Heidfeld in the 2001 Formula One World Championship at the team's Hinwil base in Switzerland.

The car sports the same dark blue livery that adorned its chassis last year, but will have the name of new sponsors Credit Suisse alongside those of other major backers Red Bull and Petronas on the bodywork. For the first time since driver Jean Alesi left after the 1999 season the Swiss flag will also not be on the livery.

Under the chassis, Sauber will once again use Ferrari engines and Peter Sauber said that he was not concerned that French team Prost will also receive Ferrari power-units this season.

He added: "I wasn't very happy when another team came in to use the Ferrari engine, but neither were the Ferrari engineers when we started to use the engines.

"It is a difficult task with another team but we have to respect Prost. We weren't asked if they could supply engines to Prost but Ferrari and Jean Todt [Ferrari's sporting director] have guaranteed they will give us a great service."

New driver Raikkonen, who will make his debut in the sport when he lines up on the grid at the Australian Grand Prix in March, revealed how he had to overcome a neck injury after first getting in the car and is now looking forward to proving his doubters wrong.

"I don't feel any pressure," said Raikkonen. "Everyone has their own opinion and that is fine by me. I am looking forward to everything because it is all so new and exciting. Testing has gone very well and I am very happy.

"I had a neck problem during the first test but now I have built that up and I'm not feeling it anymore."

Raikkonen's team-mate Nick Heidfeld, who joined from Prost in the closed season, said he is raring to go for the new season after training in the exclusive ski resort Klosters.

"I would have preferred to be skiing than doing cross-country physical work," said Heidfeld. "But I have been surprised at how well the shakedown of the new car went and I'm pleased with the tests.

"I'm looking forward to comparing ourselves with other teams. I think Kimi will exert some pressure. He is very motivated and will put the pressure on."