Sauber don't necessarily bring glamour and pizzazz to F1 but they are always there or thereabouts .

The understated Swiss team quietly goes about its business in a competent fashion although always seem just that little bit short of making it into the real big time.

Peter Sauber and his team build on 30 years of racing-car experience. It was a Mercedes-engined prototype built to race at Le Mans in 1985 that served as a platform for their entrance into the world sportscar championship in 1986.

By 1988 they were serious contenders as they took the championship through Frenchman Jean-Louis Schlesser. The following year Mercedes upped their involvement and the Sauber C9s were painted in German racing silver. The team took victory at Le Mans and took the world championship once more.

The team yet again won the sportscar title in 1990 and in a considerable coup Mercedes introduced their junior team of drivers to Sauber. That team would consist of none other than Michael Schumacher, Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Karl Wedlinger.

This junior team served as a prelude to Mercedes' official re-entry into F1 through Sauber in 1993. Karl Wedlinger and JJ Lehto were chosen as the drivers and Lehto scored fifth place in the team's debut race at Kyalami.

In 1994 Heinz-Harld Frentzen replaced Lehto and immediately began to impress the paddock. However, just as everything appeared to be coming together a crash at Monaco left Wedlinger in a coma.

Ford replaced Mercedes for '95 and Frentzen crafted some good results for the team, notably a fine third place in the Italian Grand Prix.

Two years later Sauber managed to persuade Malaysian petrochemical giant Petronas to buy some Ferrari engines. Yet this didn't provide the expected up-turn in performance although Johnny Herbert did well to score 15 points in the championship.

The past two seasons haven't been kind to Sauber. However, on a positive note, Pedro Diniz is joined by Mika Salo this year and Sauber are hoping that the Finn's Ferrari links will lead to greater co-operation between the teams.