Situation serious but Sauber will not miss Australia

Sauber will race in the season opening Australian Grand Prix next weekend, despite the serious financial cloud that looms over the struggling Swiss team.

Boss and co-owner Monisha Kaltenborn confirmed earlier that "part of the February salaries" of the more than 300 staff at Hinwil are yet to be paid.

"Two thirds of our employees have not received the February wages," Sauber spokesman Robert Hopoltseder has now revealed to the Swiss broadcaster SRF.

But a source told Tages Anzeiger that Sauber's participation in Melbourne race is in doubt. After that, however, Sauber's future is "extremely uncertain", the source warned.

Sauber spokesman Hopoltseder admitted: "As was the case in recent years, these are difficult times."

But Michael Stauble, a commentator for Swiss television, said the current situation for Sauber is in fact new.

"Wages not being paid over a longer period is unique in Sauber's history," he said. "So the situation is very serious. If I look beyond 2016, I am anxious and worried about Sauber."