Monisha Kaltenborn has played down "dramatic" media claims that Monaco recently was the low point in Sauber's long motor racing history.

The team's Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson were forced to retire from the race due to collision, against the backdrop of Sauber's financial problems.

"I see it not as dramatic," the struggling Swiss team's co-owner and boss said.

Kaltenborn had said that the crash was "unacceptable" but that it had since been dealt with internally.

However, she warned that even though Nasr and Ericsson's sponsors pay dearly for their cockpits, that does not mean they can behave as they like.

"Whether a pay driver or not, the interests of the team are always at the forefront and take precedence," Kaltenborn told Swiss Sunday newspaper Sonntagsblick.

The crash only highlighted the fact that, out of money and amid stalled car development, Nasr and Ericsson are yet to score a single point in 2016.

Asked if the Formula 1 world is witnessing Sauber's slow death, Kaltenborn answered: "I don't think so, no.

"As a company we have two sides. One is the sport, which is where we are visible in the media, and we're not where we should be. The other side is commercial, and just like any other medium-sized Swiss company, we are not obligated to disclose everything.

"But in this part we have strengthened ourselves in recent years and expanded our business continuously. Yet the media speculation does not help us - in fact, it is the opposite."

Asked, however, if Sauber's 300 staff have been paid their wages for May, Kaltenborn answered: "As before we will always find a solution.

"The delays are annoying, but even though there are delays, we have always paid."

Meanwhile, the financial delays also mean that the drivers' blue and yellow cars are not being developed.

Asked if that explains why a frustrated Nasr and Ericsson collided in Monaco, Kaltenborn insisted: "No, it has nothing to do with it.

"But of course the situation is difficult and unsatisfactory for all the parties."

The season continues with the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday.