BMW to keep Sauber name in F1

The Sauber name will live on in Formula One next year after BMW said they had registered their new team as BMW Sauber.

"The new team name more or less chose itself," said BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen in a statement. "It reflects the make-up of the team - run by BMW but with a core of almost 300 Sauber employees.

"Plus, the 2006 car was developed by Sauber's proven engineers."

BMW announced in June it would end a six-year partnership with Williams and buy a majority stake in the Swiss-based team from shareholder Credit Suisse instead. Founder Peter Sauber will retain his 20 per cent shareholding.

The deadline for entry to the 2006 championship is today.

"It's nice to see that the Sauber name will continue in Formula One," said Sauber. "I'm particularly pleased for Sauber's many loyal fans."

The German carmaker said Willy Rampf would remain as technical director at the Swiss factory with Heinz Paschen named as technical director in Munich, where the engine and entire powertrain will be built.

The new team will be presented officially in Valencia, Spain, on January 16 and 17 when the new car will also make its test debut.

German driver Nick Heidfeld has been signed from Williams on a three-year deal with Jacques Villeneuve having a year remaining on his Sauber contract, although BMW have yet to confirm he will be staying.