Sauber understand 'responsibility' bringing teen driver into F1

Team principal Monisha Kaltenborn says Russian government linked to investment deal, and they are preparing programme for 17-year-old Sergey Sirotkin to get superlicence.

Nico Hulkenberg pushed his Sauber to the 12th spot on the grid for today's Hungarian Grand Prix. The Swiss-based team has been struggling financially until an infusion of funds from Russian investors.
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team principal Monisha Kaltenborn said the Russian government is closely linked to the deal that resulted in their recent salvation.

Earlier this month, owner Peter Sauber admitted his team's financial woes were "crippling and embarrassing" as they struggled to pay suppliers.

Less than a week later, Sauber announced an agreement with a trio of Russian companies that secured their future in Formula One.

The Swiss-based team have formed a partnership with the Investment Co-operation International Fund, the State Fund of Development of North-West Russian Federation and the National Institute of Aviation Technologies.

The latter organisation is run by Oleg Sirotkin, and as part of the deal his son Sergey, 17, is to be fast-tracked into F1 next season.

Kaltenborn refused to divulge much detail into how the deal is structured or whether the team has yet received any money.

However, Kaltenborn did dismiss remarks by some cynics who have suggested the arrangement is too good to be true.

"We are very happy and relieved," Kaltenborn said. "It's a very complex and comprehensive deal, and we are now focusing on starting the implementation of this cooperation.

"We've been working with these partners for a while, and because of the extent and scope of the deal, we knew it would take a while.

"It's something new for both sides, so we weren't too disturbed by what was being written.

"I certainly have no reasons to believe it's too good to be true. I don't know why people would think that.

"We know what we are talking about and we've good reasons to believe it."

Pressed as to the Russian government link, Kaltenborn added: "There are three parties, and all of them, particularly the two funds, are very close to the Russian government.

"How they work exactly and what their exact connection is, you would have to ask them, not us, because clearly, as I say, they are close to the Russian government."

Kaltenborn does appreciate the risk they are taking with Sergey Sirotkin, whose single-seater career to date is hardly inspiring.

Sirotkin, who turns 18 next month, currently competes in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, and lacks the experience to make the move to F1.

In need of the necessary superlicence to compete in the sport, Kaltenborn said: "We are focusing on setting up a preparation programme.

"We know the responsibility we have. We've been in similar situations before, maybe not with such a young driver, but with drivers who have come from the series he has been in now.

"Knowing that responsibility, we take it very seriously and we will do our best to prepare him.

"Of course, he has to fulfil certain criteria and we will do our best for him to do that.

"Most important is that we are not out here to harm him in any way, so we will see how things go.

"We know from the other side, the people are equally aware of the risks and responsibilities, so we have to take it step by step."

Saturday in qualifying for the

,

qualified 12th, with teammate

down in 17th place on the grid.

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