Sauber owners have strongly refuted reports of favouritism towards Marcus Ericsson as the Swiss team battles with disagreements at senior levels.
On Wednesday, it was revealed Monisha Kaltenborn has departed from her role as team principal after five years and a long association with a team before that.
A statement from chairman Pascal Picci, who joined following the takeover over the Hinwil-based outfit last summer, would confirm Kaltenborn's exit, claiming: "Longbow Finance SA regrets to announce that, by mutual consent and due to diverging views on the future of the company, Monisha Kaltenborn will leave her positions with the Sauber Group effective immediately.
"Her successor will be announced shortly. In the meantime, we wish the team the best of luck in Azerbaijan.”
Prior to that, Sauber would respond to claims the team is prioritising Marcus Ericsson, who's Swedish backers are linked to Longbow Finance, over team-mate Pascal Wehrlein who joined the team at the beginning of the year from Manor.
"The owners and board of Sauber Motorsport AG take strong exception to speculative and widespread media reports today that our race drivers have not been, and are not being, treated equally," they commented.
"This is not only patently untrue, it would be contrary to the team's absolute and longstanding commitment to fair competition.
"These reports, attributed to anonymous 'sources', are highly detrimental to both Marcus Ericsson and Pascal Wehrlein as well as to the management and all staff of the Sauber F1 Team."
"This is not only patently untrue, it would be contrary to the team's absolute and longstanding commitment to fair competition.
"These reports, attributed to anonymous 'sources', are highly detrimental to both Marcus Ericsson and Pascal Wehrlein as well as to the management and all staff of the Sauber F1 Team."
The German has had a tricky start to the season, missing the first three races due to a back injury and subsequent lack of fitness but has scored the team's only points so far this year, after finishing eighth in Spain.
