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BMW Sauber Ferrari to Change Name for 2011

BMW Sauber-Ferrari have been granted permission to change their name starting the 2011 season of Formula One by the FIA's World Motor Sport Council. Although German manufacturer BMW has withdrawn from the series at the end of last season, the Swiss team continued to use the brand's name in 2010.

Following the F1 Commission meeting on Monday, several media reported that Peter Sauber's team has asked for permission to change its name to simply Sauber Motorsport. Two days later, when the members of the WMSC met to decide upon the next tire supplier for the F1 series, this topic was also brought to discussion, with the FIA officials granting the team's request.

Consequently, the team will continue with the BMW Sauber-Ferrari badge for the rest of the 2010 season – for commercial reasons, as the team has applied for the 2010 season under this name and will consequently be distributed its revenues for the ongoing campaign as BMW Sauber-Ferrari. According to a spokesman for the Hinwil based team, the outfit's name will be changed the very Monday after the season finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Although the team bears the name of German manufacturer BMW – as it used to be the works team of the Munich-based carmaker – its 2010 challengers use Ferrari power for the current season. The reason for that was because some of the sponsors that used to partner BMW in Formula One would not have stayed with the team unless it had continued to be named BMW.

As for the engine partner for the upcoming season, there's still no news on who will BMW team up with. Considering the engine problems experienced by their two challengers in 2010 so far, we'd be inclined to believe Ferrari are not exactly on top of the list.
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