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Now former Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn, speaking before her split with the team has said she felt that the potential split between McLaren and Honda will not affect the teams 2018 prospects when the team will move to Honda engines.
The Sauber team do not currently produce their own gearbox and were said to have agreed with McLaren to use their gearboxes when they shared an engine partner. But with a split between McLaren and Honda looking increasingly likely, and the Williams team already confirming that they will not step into Mclaren’s position if the McLaren-Honda partnership does indeed break down, they could be left as the only Honda-powered car on the grid. This, in turn, would also mean it would somehow have to either make its own gearbox or get a third party to create one.
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However, despite this, Kaltenborn remained adamant they would remain very separate teams saying that "They (McLaren and Sauber) are two separate projects. We are two customers, There will be no synergies I cannot say anything at this time.
"It is not working at the moment at McLaren, and of course that is not good, But I am not able to draw any conclusions about how it will be next year. This is all speculation and I have no reason to doubt."
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Replies (4)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
No, the Honda engine will affect sauber
mclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
First admits - "and of course that is not good" and then goes on to claim "I have no reason to doubt."
lolwut? Epic logic fail, exactly why this piece of sh!t had to go. Good riddance.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
... pff .. and if the Honda doesn't perform will it destroy another team? If they can't get a gearbox + engine they will be in even more trouble. Honda should be talking to the likes of RB if mcLaren switches to another provider. The fact that they signed with Sauber for me points to that they will stay with mcLaren.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Same, And its getting closer to the point in which it is too late for McLaren to switch supplier for 2018. I think McLaren will give them one more year, if Honda disappoints again they will switch for sure. Honda has been in talks with RB earlier, but Dennis had the power to veto a second supply back then, and didnt mind using it. In hindsight, that might've served Red Bull well this season.