Struggling Sauber finally able to pay Hulkenberg

Nico Hulkenberg

Despite protestations to the contrary, Sauber's struggle for survival is not over, according to the latest German-language reports.

The Russian rescue deal had appeared back on track on Friday, as teen driver Sergey Sirotkin confirmed rumours he has now signed a race deal for 2014.

But Welt newspaper said the flow of money from Russia has actually been barely more than a trickle.

Reporting from Spa, Bild correspondents Nicola Pohl and Lennart Wermke referred to a promised EUR 22 million injection, in exchange for Sirotkin's race seat.

But the reports said only EUR 3 million actually materialised.

"For Sauber, the situation is dramatic," said Pohl and Wermke. "The Russian rescue is probably off the table."

However, there are also conflicting reports. Auto Motor und Sport claims team driver Nico Hulkenberg, who has been waiting to be paid all season, has now received the first instalment.

"We got some money," confirmed his manager Werner Heinz. "At Sauber things are looking up."

The German report also said Sauber has travelled to Belgium with a new front wing and is tinkering once again with a passive double-DRS system, indicating that funds for technical development are flowing once again.

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