Sauber announced at the end of April that they would be receiving power units from Honda in 2017. Sauber's recent financial problems were perhaps shown when they announced last year that their 2017 car would run with year old Ferrari power.
Next season, they will return to up-to-date power as Japanese manufacturer Honda has agreed a deal with the Swiss team, for a reported much lower price. Honda currently provides units to McLaren, however, that relationship is currently on a tight-rope with McLaren stating they are giving Honda 90 days to sort their issues.
Team principal at Sauber Monisha Kaltenborn told GPUpdate: "It's very important. We have here the vision, the joint vision. This should develop into a very comprehensive, strategic, technological partnership. Of course, to begin with, we will focus on the power unit supply, but we do hope with the kind of expertise we have in the house, the know-how we have, that we can find other areas to collaborate with such a big company as Honda is."
Honda will sort their problems
Amid the struggles of Honda, Kaltenborn admits that she understands fans' concerns over the deal: "Well, of course, I can understand it if you see where they are today. But things in Formula 1 move very quickly; no one knows what's going to be in one month, let alone at the end of the year, or rather when we start testing next year.
"Knowing the size of Honda, their capabilities, their determination, I'm absolutely convinced that they are going to get on top of their problems. It will be a whole new chapter when it comes to next year's engine."
Fergal Walsh
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