Sauber's BMW Deal Not Done Yet

BMW are talking to both the Sauber and Red Bull Formula One teams about supplying them with an engine for 2006 but no deal has been done, the German carmaker said on Wednesday.

"Nothing has been decided yet. We are talking to several teams," said motorsport director Mario Theissen.

A spokesman confirmed Red Bull, the former Ford-owned Jaguar team bought by Austrian energy drink billionaire Dietrich Mateschitz in November, were one of them.

Frank Williams, whose team have had an exclusive partnership with BMW for the past five years, told reporters on Tuesday that Theissen had told him BMW had decided to go with Sauber as a second team.

He said Williams had no problem with the decision.

A Sauber spokesman said the team had been surprised by Williams' comments.

"Our situation is completely unchanged," he said. "Peter Sauber is talking to several manufacturers about an engine supply for 2006 and there is no decision."

Swiss-based Sauber have used Ferrari engines, renamed as Petronas after their Malaysian oil sponsor, since 1997.

However they broke ranks with Ferrari at last year's season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix when they sided with the other eight teams in calling for a testing ban resisted by the champions.

Sauber have also switched from the Bridgestone tyres used by Ferrari to rival Michelin.

Formula One's group of five carmakers announced after a meeting with teams last week that they would each supply a second team with engines if they signed up to their vision for the sport's commercial future.

The carmakers are planning their own series to replace the existing championship when a current commercial agreement expires at the end of 2007.

Ferrari, the sport's historic glamour team, are on the other side of the fence after agreeing to stay in the existing Championship to 2012.

Sauber confirmed on Monday that they had signed the manufacturers' memorandum of understanding. Red Bull and Jordan have yet to commit themselves.