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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.
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"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
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
C. Sainz jr
285 members have this team as their favourite
Smiler121
Posts: 53
Right now heading more towards no Honda!