Sauber and Red Bull reach Splitsville

[f1manoz]

From Yahoo-Sports:

Sauber-Petronas have today announced that they will start into the 2002 season without the Red Bull trade mark.

The team have released the following statement:

"After a long lasting partnership and the most successful season of the team so far, the co-operation with Red Bull will end as of 31 December 2001."

"The seven years together with Red Bull had an essential impact on the team's image. Peter Sauber and his crew thank Dietrich Mateschitz and Red Bull for the confidence in the partnership and wish Red Bull all the best for their future."

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Considering Red Bull's announcement of a further injection of funds into Arrows earlier this months, perhaps the end of the relationship between them and Sauber is not entirely surprising, as it's been doing the rumours circle for a few months now.

Could this impact on Saubers competitiveness for next year? And was it the right decision by either company to part after such a successful season?