Makes life interesting for Williams.....
German car manufacturer BMW has bought the Swiss Formula One team Sauber.
BMW said its decision to run its own team in the world championship for the first time from 2006 was "the right way forward for both sides".
BMW's partnership with Williams, with whom it has a deal to supply engines until 2009, is now under threat.
"We want to discuss the future options with Williams in order to find the right way forward for both sides," said BMW board member Burkhard Goeschel.
The relationship between Williams and BMW has deteriorated in recent months.
Williams director of engineering Patrick Head and BMW director of motor sport Mario Theissen criticised each other in the media before the Canadian Grand Prix.
Theissen, who describes BMW's investment as "a co-operation", revealed he had no intention of taking over Sauber before talks over an engine supply began.
The partnership with BMW guarantees continuity
Peter Sauber
He said: "It was a long-term process. Since last season we set down and considered what we could do.
"Success can only be achieved with a fully-integrated team.
"At the beginning of year we started talks with Sauber, at the time we were talking about engine supply next year.
"We found common ground. We believe Sauber offers a good basis and foundation to further develop the engines.
"We have decided to co-operate with Sauber as BMW. We are going to be in charge of the entire package.
"It will be a fully-integrated team, a team distributed among two locations, BMW in Munich and we will not only preserve the Hinwil location but we will also expand it."
Outgoing team boss Peter Sauber said: "I am going to give up operative management of this company. I will give advice to BMW and my team.
"For Sauber, the partnership with BMW is an ideal solution as it supports the two goals which have always been paramount for me.
"Firstly, to offer the team the possibility of improving their sporting performance and secondly, to safeguard the site at Hinwil and the jobs of today's 300-strong workforce.
"The partnership with BMW guarantees continuity. I know it will give the workforce a very good outlook."
BMW said it had not been put off by the political rows rocking Formula One.
Seven teams and five car manufacturers, including BMW, have threatened to set up a rival championship in 2008 if they are not given a greater say in the sport's governance and administration and a greater share of its revenues.
"We anticipate that Formula One will emerge strengthened from the current restructuring phase and that it will continue to represent the top echelon of motorsport for the future," said Goeschel.
Sauber began life in Formula One in 1993 with backing from BMW's bitter German rivals Mercedes.
But Mercedes backed out of the Sauber link up in 1995 to join forces with McLaren, leaving Ford to take over as engine supplier.
German car manufacturer BMW has bought the Swiss Formula One team Sauber.
BMW said its decision to run its own team in the world championship for the first time from 2006 was "the right way forward for both sides".
BMW's partnership with Williams, with whom it has a deal to supply engines until 2009, is now under threat.
"We want to discuss the future options with Williams in order to find the right way forward for both sides," said BMW board member Burkhard Goeschel.
The relationship between Williams and BMW has deteriorated in recent months.
Williams director of engineering Patrick Head and BMW director of motor sport Mario Theissen criticised each other in the media before the Canadian Grand Prix.
Theissen, who describes BMW's investment as "a co-operation", revealed he had no intention of taking over Sauber before talks over an engine supply began.
The partnership with BMW guarantees continuity
Peter Sauber
He said: "It was a long-term process. Since last season we set down and considered what we could do.
"Success can only be achieved with a fully-integrated team.
"At the beginning of year we started talks with Sauber, at the time we were talking about engine supply next year.
"We found common ground. We believe Sauber offers a good basis and foundation to further develop the engines.
"We have decided to co-operate with Sauber as BMW. We are going to be in charge of the entire package.
"It will be a fully-integrated team, a team distributed among two locations, BMW in Munich and we will not only preserve the Hinwil location but we will also expand it."
Outgoing team boss Peter Sauber said: "I am going to give up operative management of this company. I will give advice to BMW and my team.
"For Sauber, the partnership with BMW is an ideal solution as it supports the two goals which have always been paramount for me.
"Firstly, to offer the team the possibility of improving their sporting performance and secondly, to safeguard the site at Hinwil and the jobs of today's 300-strong workforce.
"The partnership with BMW guarantees continuity. I know it will give the workforce a very good outlook."
BMW said it had not been put off by the political rows rocking Formula One.
Seven teams and five car manufacturers, including BMW, have threatened to set up a rival championship in 2008 if they are not given a greater say in the sport's governance and administration and a greater share of its revenues.
"We anticipate that Formula One will emerge strengthened from the current restructuring phase and that it will continue to represent the top echelon of motorsport for the future," said Goeschel.
Sauber began life in Formula One in 1993 with backing from BMW's bitter German rivals Mercedes.
But Mercedes backed out of the Sauber link up in 1995 to join forces with McLaren, leaving Ford to take over as engine supplier.