Mar.14 (GMM) Peter Sauber insists he is not panicking in terms of signing a major sponsor for the 2010 season.

In the wake of BMW's withdrawal and the 66-year-old founder's rescue takeover, the team is racing this weekend in Bahrain with a mainly blank white livery.

According to a report in the Swiss daily Neue Zurcher Zeitung, Sauber has put some of his own money into the team this year, with the budget therefore guaranteed for 2010.

"We are focused on the search for a partner in 2011," he added.

After a strong winter with the Ferrari-powered C29, Sauber answered "sure" when asked if 14th and 16th on the Bahrain grid is disappointing.

It is expected the car will be more competitive on less bumpy tracks.

Also rumoured is that the team will make an application some time during the 2010 season to drop the 'BMW' from its official name.

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