Sauber cancel engine deal with Honda
- Published on 27 Jul 2017 16:06
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- By: Fergal Walsh
The deal between Sauber and Honda appear to be off. Earlier this year, it was announced that Sauber would ditch Ferrari and take up a deal with Honda in order to run with cheaper engines. Sauber also announced that its 2018 engine partner will be announced shortly.
There has been some tension surrounding the agreement ever since Monisha Kaltenborn departed the team on the build up to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The decision has been due to "strategic reasons" and "the best intent for the future", according to new team principal Frederic Vasseur.
"It is very unfortunate that we have to discontinue the planned collaboration with Honda at this stage. However, this decision has been made for strategic reasons, and with the best intent for the future of the Sauber F1 Team in mind. We would like to thank Honda for their collaboration, and wish them all the best for their future in Formula One."
Masashi Yamamoto, General Manager at Honda, added: "We had built a good relationship with Sauber, and had been looking forward to entering the 2018 F1 season together. However, during discussions after management changes at the team, we reached a mutual agreement to call-off the project due to differences in the future directions of both parties. We would like to thank Sauber for their cooperation, and wish them all the best for their future."
What next for Sauber?
Sauber, of course, is running with year-old Ferrari power in 2017 which is damaging its season in terms of performance. Sauber's new engine partner will be revealed shortly, but it's expected that the team will remain with Ferrari. With two Ferrari youngsters (Antonio Giovinazzi and Charles Leclerc) waiting in the wings, Ferrari may offer Sauber an up-to-date power unit at a lower price, with the agreement of fielding one (or even two) of its junior drivers.
Similarly, Mercedes may offer something similar. Currently, Pascal Wehrlein is racing for the Swiss outfit as a Mercedes junior, even though the team is supplied by Mercedes' rivals, Ferrari. Mercedes may also dish out an engine deal at a lower price to keep Wehrlein at the team.
Fergal Walsh
1
Replies (12)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Wow, sucks for Honda
JoeGreen84
Posts: 30
Strong call. too strong for Katlebourn. Not sure she would have made sucha bold call
F1racefan97
Posts: 113
Is it really the best thing for sauber money wise? Honda would be much cheaper... But Ferrari do want their youth drivers on the grid
Rardon
Posts: 4
What now? Williams-Honda? Another great combination from the past... Although that doesn't seem a guaranty for
success.. ;-)
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Not likely. Williams is far too content with their Mercedes deal.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Toro rosso honda.....
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I could see that. Else, Red Bull will stick with Renault until the new PU regulations set in.
Smiler121
Posts: 53
Right now heading more towards no Honda!
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
A pity, but I can understand why.
Bhurt
Posts: 320
Encouraging to see Longbow and Sauber display some aggression and ambition! The new owners aren't just in F1 to participate (the way Kaltenborn ran the team) but to be competitive. This is great news for Sauber, Formula 1 and everyone who wants to see competitive racing.
Also says quite a lot about the state Honda is in that not even the worst team on the grid would run their engines for free.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Love to see sauber more competitive. Drop wehrlein in favour of lec/gio. Replace eri with up and coming talent.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
But is it agression to stay with what they've used for so long? And something that hasnt helped them to become competitive at that.