Sauber Not Expecting BMW Culture Clash

With Sauber about to enter their final Grand Prix before their takeover by BMW at the end of the year, the Swiss is hopeful that his team will be better suited at dealing with the situation than the British Williams outfit were.

"From a cultural perspective, I see no reason for worry," said Sauber in an interview with team sponsor Credit Suisse's e-magazine.

"After all, there are already a number of Germans working on the team, and they've settled in well here.

"Where there definitely could be some friction - and BMW has nothing to do with it - is the challenge of merging a medium-sized operation into a large company. The important point here is that you can adopt the positive aspects of the small partner and apply them as well as possible in environment of a multinational.

"The attitude will also have to change: The new team is no longer a little David who stands up to the big guys once in a while. At the end of the day, BMW is a giant that you expect victories from."

Sauber is due to have a farewell party in Shanghai with his fellow team bosses on Thursday - to coincide with his 62nd birthday. He will then have an event with the media on Friday prior to a Sauber team party on Sunday night.