Team SAUBER PETRONAS owner Peter Sauber explained why he decided to go against Ferrari and join rival teams in signing a cost saving initiative this weekend.

SAUBER, whose team have a close relationship with Ferrari through an engine supply deal from PETRONAS, joined all other teams except the world champions to back moves to reduce costs after a meeting here last Saturday.

The plan, which involves a significant reduction in testing next year but it failed to receive the agreement of Ferrari, who own two private test tracks, will fail to go through until 2006 if they refuse to sign up.

"Sauber has enjoyed an excellent and successful partnership with Ferrari for the past eight seasons so you can imagine how difficult it was for me to sign the Cost Savings Initiative yesterday," said Peter Sauber. "But I am convinced my decision to do so was right and it is important for me to clarify that my signature by no means indicates any form of action against Ferrari."

Sauber has continued to perform strongly thanks to an association with Ferrari that has allowed the Swiss team to use the same specification engine and gearbox as the world champions this year. But Sauber knows the importance of cost reduction.

"For several years some of my fellow team principals and I have continually requested a drastic reduction in testing as one initiative to lower costs," added Sauber. "I realise that this initiative is only a first step. Realistically it is not possible to solve all the problems at once so it is important to approach this difficult challenge step-by-step."

"Cost savings are vital for the health and future of Formula One and they are every bit as important for the major manufacturers as they are for the independent teams as the withdrawal of Jaguar shows."

Demands for change have continually been called for since the collapse of the Prost team at the start of 2002 and the closure of the Arrows team that followed during that season. The cost of competing in Formula One has increased significantly in recent years with competition amongst major manufacturers forcing several of the privateer teams into struggle.

Both Minardi and Jordan are now well off the pace and racing with limited budget while Jaguar have been put up for sale by owners Ford after the motor giant admitted they did not have the funds to race competitively.