Kamui Kobayashi has shrugged off the fuel system problem that sidelined his Sauber for most of today’s Jerez test session, and is confident the squad can catch up with its programme tomorrow.
The Japanese driver spent just over five hours in the pits after the early failure today, but said he would rather get reliability issues out of the way in testing.

Pedro de la Rosa says he is “desperate” for some dry running after yet another test day at Jerez was compromised by bad weather.
The Sauber driver, who is returning to full-time racing this season after starting just nine grands prix since 2003, finished the first day of this week’s Jerez test fifth on the timesheet.

Kamui Kobayashi put Sauber at the top of the timesheets with a last-minute flying lap as Formula 1 teams enjoyed plenty of dry running on the second day of this week’s Jerez test.
Toro Rosso’s Sebastien Buemi had topped the times for most of the session, which began with a slightly damp track but soon improved and allowed the pitlane to make up for the mileage lost during yesterday’s incessant rain.

Sauber was forced to cut short its testing programme on Wednesday as showers battered the Circuito Permanente de Jerez. With Kamui Kobayashi at the wheel of the soaked C29, the Japanese driver notched up the day’s fifth fastest time.
With his best effort of 1:23.287 placing him inside the top five, outwardly confirming the strong pace of the Sauber first seen in Valencia last week, however, even less indicative readings can be extracted from a day which featured rain from 10am.

BMW Sauber’s technical director Willy Rampf says the team’s new car has matched its expectations following its maiden test at the Valencia circuit.
The Ferrari-powered C29 showed promising form in the first test in Spain, where it was the second fastest car behind the Ferraris.

BMW Sauber’s new signing Kamui Kobayashi says it is too early to say whether the team’s new C25 will be a front-running contender, despite setting the second fastest time in testing at Valencia on Tuesday.
The Japanese 23-year-old set a 1m12.056s time, just over 0.3s slower than Ferrari’s pace-setting Felipe Massa, having completed 96 laps in the new car. His performance backed up that of team-mate Pedro de la Rosa who also set the second fastest time on the first day’s running in Spain.

The BMW Sauber F1 Team was happy with the roll-out of its 2010 car on the Valencia circuit in Cheste on Monday where newly signed driver Pedro de la Rosa was at the wheel of the BMW Sauber C29 Ferrari.
“For me it was a very positive day,” the Spaniard said. “The car was reliable right from the beginning, which meant we could follow our programme perfectly without wasting any time. Also the car reacted to our changes very well.”

BMW Sauber was the third Formula 1 team to show off its new challenger for the 2010 season on Sunday, with the unveiling of the C29 at the Valencia circuit.
The car, which will be powered by Ferrari engines this season, is the first machine from the Swiss squad following the exit of BMW from the sport at the end of 2009.

After confirming the renewal of its partnership with Swiss watchmaker Certina earlier this week, the Sauber team has now announced a new link-up with Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. ahead of the new season. The company, also from Switzerland, will provide a plane in Sauber livery for European flights.

The Sauber team has renewed its sponsorship deal with Swiss watchmaker Certina. The two companies have been connected since 2005 and are pleased to refresh the link-up after Peter Sauber bought the Hinwil outfit back from German car manufacturer BMW ahead of the upcoming season.
With the Certina deal extended, its logos will be seen on the wing mirrors of this year’s Ferrari-powered Saubers, driven by Kamui Kobayashi and Pedro de la Rosa. The branding will also be visible on helmets, cuffs of driver overalls and gloves.
“We are proud of the …

Christian Klien remains hopeful that he can still land a race seat on the Formula 1 grid this year, despite seeing Pedro de la Rosa beat him to a slot at BMW Sauber.
The former BMW Sauber test driver had been in talks for several weeks with the Hinwil-based operation about a race deal for 2010, but its decision to hand a seat to de la Rosa has scuppered his chances.
Although his preferred option has now fallen through, Klien says that negotiations are ongoing with two other teams for a deal …

Pedro de la Rosa will return to Formula 1 racing this year after securing a seat with the BMW Sauber team, the Swiss squad confirmed on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old Spaniard has been McLaren’s reserve and test driver for seven years, but will be back to racing in 2010 with the Hinwil-based squad.
De la Rosa will join Kamui Kobayashi at the team.

Team US F1 has promised an innovative approach for the design of its first Formula 1 car, as the Charlotte-based operation edges closer its first test with the 2010 challenger.
The outfit has spent almost one year working on the new car and one of its chief designers, Scott Bennett, has revealed that the team will not simply be following the pack.
“I’m extremely fortunate in that I’ve been able to do most of the car’s layout from day one – I’ve seen and had a hand in almost every step of …

Giancarlo Fisichella is close to becoming a Sauber Formula 1 driver once again. The Italian, Ferrari’s test driver for 2010, flew up and down to Sauber’s Hinwil base in Switzerland last week as Ferrari’s annual Wrooom skiing event continued in Italy.
Having left Force India to join Ferrari for the final five races of 2009, the 37-year-old Roman now looks likely to join Kamui Kobayashi at Sauber for the upcoming campaign;