“We are pleased to announce a partnership between the Investment
Corporation International Fund, the State Fund of Development of North-West
Russian Federation and the National Institute of Aviation Technologies with
Sauber Motorsport AG, incorporating the promotion of the sport Formula 1 in
Russia and jointly developing high-technological solutions,” said a
Sauber statement.
“With the National Institute of Aviation Technologies, one of the leading
scientific research institutions in Russia, the Sauber F1 team will benefit
from the advanced know-how of the front-end Russian scientists and
engineers.
“The objective of the partnership is to open up new perspectives and
revenue streams by commercialising jointly developed technologies.”
Sirotkin, who has qualified in the top six five times in eight FR3.5 races
this year, will not appear in this week’s young driver test at Silverstone,
with the squad running Robin Frijns and Kimya Sato as well as Hulkenberg.
But the intention is to have him in a race seat in time for next year’s
inaugural Russian Grand Prix in Sochi.
“The partnership includes further activities for the promotion of the
inaugural Formula One Grand Prix in Sochi in 2014 and attracting the
talented young Russian generation towards motorsport,” said the
statement.
“In particular, a development programme will be set up for the Russian
driver Sergey Sirotkin to prepare him as a racing driver for the team in
2014.”
The inclusion in the deal of the St Petersburg-based State Fund of Development
of Northwest Russian Federation has led to speculation that Sochi, a Black
Sea resort and the host of next year’s Winter Olympics, may not end up being
the venue for the Russian GP in the long term.