The Sauber F1 team have confirmed that they will not be taking part in the in-season test session that is set to take place on May 17th-18th at the Montmelo circuit in Barcelona, following the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.
The Hinwil based squad has confirmed that with no updates in the pipeline for Spain, it does not see the point in attending the two day test session, adding that it also does not have a young driver at its disposal to send along, as per the FIA rules.
The Swiss team’s non-attendance is just another warning sign that they are struggling to cope with the costs and demands of running a successful F1 team. After missing pre-season testing and only just making it in time for the start of the 2016 Formula One season in Australia, they were also unable to pay the salaries of staff during the months of February and March. The sponsors of Swedish driver Marcus Ericsson, stepped in to help out on that occasion, but the squad are coming under more and more pressure as the year drags on, and at the moment the future of the Sauber F1 team does not look secure.
The team confirmed their non attendance via social media on Tuesday.