Jordan advises Sauber to sell their F1 team, Alesi disagrees
In the grip of difficulties since the start of the 2014 Formula 1 season, the Sauber team is making headlines. Indeed, Eddie Jordan - former team boss - advises Peter Sauber to stop the expenses and take a well-deserved retirement at 70. Jean Alesi, a former driver for the team, believes that he should continue his passion that has lasted for over two decades.
The Sauber F1 team is experiencing a challenging start to the season, marked, for now, by a zero score in terms of points over 6 Grand Prix; the Hinwil-based structure notably saw the Marussia team overtake them thanks to the two points scored by Jules Bianchi in Monaco.
Eddie Jordan, former boss of the Jordan Grand Prix team sold in 2005 and now Sahara Force India, believes that Peter Sauber – the boss of the Swiss team thanks to his 66.6% of shares – should consider selling his team to enjoy more relaxed moments.
« Sauber is in the biggest crisis ever experienced, but I have always supported him [Peter Sauber, editor’s note]. Because he is one of the most honest people in the paddock. But it is clear that they have reached a point where they cannot continue like this. Before the damage becomes even more severe, the best solution would be to stop and sell the team, » Eddie Jordan told the Swiss magazine Blick. The Irishman also added that selling his team « had been the best decision of his career », adding that he had « enjoyed every day of his life since ».
Eddie Jordan’s statements quickly elicited responses. Jean Alesi, a former Sauber driver in 1998 and 1999 and Jordan driver in 2001, believes that Peter Sauber should ignore the advice of the now British TV consultant and continue in Formula 1. “I don’t think Peter Sauber needs advice. But I think for Eddie Jordan, Formula 1 was a business, but for Sauber, it’s a passion. And you can’t just leave after more than twenty years. So I think he needs to keep moving forward,” the Frenchman told Blick.
If the C33 wasn’t necessarily well-born, it has proven that it can be competitive in certain races, and Alesi believes that the problem is rather behind the wheel: « Every team that has to partner with paying drivers for financial reasons can face serious issues. Peter needs to find the right balance because, in 2013, there were still good results when [Nico] Hülkenberg was driving. »
