AUGUST 17, 1998
Herbert to stay at Sauber
Sauber is understood to be offering Herbert equal number one status with Jean Alesi because Johnny has not been happy on occasions this year when the Frenchman has been given more attention. Despite this, the two have a good relationship and their rivalry helps the team to move forward.
The biggest worry for both drivers is that Sauber needs to make technical progress and is not showing signs of investing where it needs to at the moment. The Sauber Petronas V10 engine project seems to have drifted into oblivion. The deal between Sauber and the Malaysian oil company continues until the end of the year 2000 but it remains to be seen whether it will be renewed because of the economic problems which have occurred in Asia in recent months. The Malaysians may choose to stay in F1 but are likely to move to a bigger team in an effort to get more coverage.