Peter Sauber has said that he remains very confident that his team will find a place on the 2010 grid, after BMW sold the team back to him, saying that the development work for the team's car for the 2010 season was "perfectly on schedule".
Peter Sauber took ownership of the team in a deal that will go through as soon as the team's place on the grid is confirmed. The decision on the 13th team is currently being delayed while the FIA investigate the legal standing of the Toyota team, which withdrew from the sport last month.
The deal to sell the company back to Sauber took place after a proposed deal with the Qadbak Investments company fell through.
Sauber are expected to get the nod to replace the Japanese team, being as they are the only team on the FIA's reserve list, but recent speculation has suggested that Toyota are planning to sell their grid slot to Serbian entity Stefan GP to save themselves from a heavy fine.
But Sauber himself remains confident about the situation, telling the official F1 website that he was "relieved" to have the future of the team sorted.
"This agreement means that the future of the team and the location in Hinwil are secured," he smiled at F1.com, "I am very relieved about that development.
"It would have been a crying shame had one of the best Formula 1 factories closed down. Regarding the slot on the grid I am very confident that we will be given a final confirmation very shortly."
Sauber has a meeting with Bernie Ecclestone today to discuss the situation, and he said that he expected a decision on the 13th spot on the 2010 grid prior to next month's World Motor Sport Council meeting. He also said that work on the team's 2010 car was still progressing well.
"Our 2010 car is perfectly on schedule," he bragged, "The development and fabrication have been unaffected by the situation. Having been able to proceed with uninterrupted development was also possible thanks to excellent cooperation with Ferrari, who submitted all the relevant data very early.
"Regarding the performance of the C29 we are all very confident. Two months before the first tests, we have already reached a very good basis for further development."
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