Aug.26 (GMM) Peter Sauber, whose Swiss team is pushing to catch Renault in the constructors' standings, has admitted he thinks the Nick Heidfeld affair is only about "economic problems".

He is apparently referring to speculation that Renault has dumped former Sauber driver Heidfeld because his replacement Bruno Senna promises millions in Brazilian sponsorship.

And there have also been long and widespread rumours this year about the Enstone-based team's financial situation.

Sauber told Blick newspaper: "I do not expect that Senna can offer the team (Renault) the same driving skills as Heidfeld."

Germany's Speed Week believes German Heidfeld, 34, is pressing his legal claim in order to collect his EUR 260,000 per race fee for the remainder of the 2011 calendar.

Heidfeld's management on Thursday confirmed that the case is being pushed to the London High Court, with a "full trial" scheduled for after Monza.

"This position (the appointment of Senna) is disputed by the team for apparently purely financial reasons," Heidfeld's lawyer Dr Stefan Seitz said.

And the driver's manager Andre Theuerzeit said the plan is to have Heidfeld back in the black R31 in Singapore.

"I still have a clear contract and I want to drive," said Heidfeld, who surprised many by actually appearing in the Spa paddock on Thursday in a Renault team shirt.

Swiss newspaper Blick speculated that it was for legal reasons, "to show that he was ready" to drive in Belgium and beyond.

Auto Motor und Sport quotes Heidfeld as saying: "A racing driver always wants to race and that's why I'm not at all upset at Bruno. He obviously wants to race as well."

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version