Amid Sauber's obvious financial problems early in 2016, new media reports suggest that the struggling Swiss team could soon be sold.

Co-owner and boss Monisha Kaltenborn was not in Bahrain last weekend, with sources reporting that she stayed at Hinwil for crucial talks over the team's future.

However, alarming speculation that Sauber's 23-year Formula 1 adventure could end even before travelling to China next week may be wide of the mark.

Citing "multiple sources", Brazil's Globo said that Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericcson will definitely be present and racing next weekend in Shanghai.

The report also said that Kaltenborn is in crucial talks over Sauber's future, and potentially with the Ferrari-linked Italian carmaker Alfa Romeo.

Meanwhile, separate talks may also be taking place with the wealthy Swedish backers behind current race driver Ericsson, including links to the multinational packaging company Tetra Pak.

The Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, meanwhile, cites a Swiss source who said that another potential investor could be from Dubai.