» Sauber and ART to merge?

Rumours are doing the rounds in Turkey that Nicolas Todt’s ART concern might merge with the financial embattled Sauber outfit, rather than the former risk a ‘go-it-alone’ approach for its 2011 bid.

The outfit – currently competing in GP2 – is managed by FIA President Jean Todt’s son, Nicolas, has submitted an entry to become the thirteenth team on the grid for the 2010 season.

However, Spain’s El Mundo Deportivo has reported that the ART concern might look at other options, including merging with the Sauber concern.

Such a move would certainly bolster the chances of other prospective entrants who are lining up for a tilt at the 2010 entry, particularly the Spanish Epsilon Euskadi outfit, which has “arguments that are difficult to refute” – as quoted by team boss Joan Villadelprat – including state-of-the-art headquarters and windtunnel facilities.

A merger with ART might very much support Sauber’s reluctant team owner, Peter Sauber – who stepped in at the last minute to rescue the team when previous owners BMW pulled out of the sport – to "find a strong and stable partner and again retreat into the background".