BMW, which provides the engines for the WilliamsF1 team, has declined to comment on a report in the German newspaper Handelsblatt today (Tuesday), which claims that the manufacturer is looking to buy the Sauber team.

According to the article, BMW is considering purchasing the Swiss team in a bid to raise its racing profile.

Earlier this month, Chief Executive Helmut Panke told Reuters: "We are not satisfied with the sixth and seventh places and we are in intensive discussions on how to do better.

"But Formula One and BMW belong together," he added.

Despite both drivers making it on to the podium in Monaco, the WilliamsF1 team is not yet in a position to consistently challenge for win, though the Grove outfit is constantly striving to recreate its 'glory days' of the mid to late 90s.

At times, BMW has made no secret of its frustration at the team's failure to seriously challenge for the title, and former Motorsport Director Gerhard Berger was a keen advocate of the company going it alone and building its own race cars.

According to Reuters, BMW is in talks with Sauber, however this is understood to relate to a customer engine deal in 2006.

"The fact is that we are negotiating with Sauber about providing motors from 2006," said a BMW spokesman. "However, everything else is speculation on which we don't comment," a BMW spokesman said.