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Sauber's latest change of ownership could be indicative of a full take-over by Alfa Romeo at some point down the road.
The Swiss outfit strengthened its ties with Ferrari at the end of last year with a commercial partnership with Alfa Romeo and a new engine supply deal with the Scuderia.
Recently, Sauber technical boss Jorg Zander was replaced by ex-Ferrari man and chief designer Simone Resta.
All signs point to an increased collaboration and rapprochement between Hinwil and Maranello, but a recent change of ownership at Sauber could be construed as the precursor to a buy-out of the team by the Alfa Romeo brand.
For the past two years, Sauber has been owned by an investment company known as Longbow Finance.
However, according to Swiss weekly Handelszeitung a change of shareholders has just taken place, with a company called Islero Investments now assuming ownership of Sauber.
"Islero Investments has taken over the position of Longbow Finance," confirmed Longbow's boss Pascal Picci.
Handelszeitung also reported that a delegation of Sauber staff is scheduled to visit Ferrari's Maranello headquarters, hence the Alfa take-over speculation.
Picci insisted however that "Sauber will remain independent for the foreseeable future."
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