Sauber and Honda: the 2018 marriage is official!
The news was already in the air: in 2018, the Helvetic team will be ditching the Ferrari engine for a Honda block!
End of the monopoly in the Land of the Rising Sun! After three exclusive seasons of collaboration with McLaren, the firm created by Peter Sauber will, in turn, be powered by a Honda V6. The matter had remained a rumor since March with the start of “advanced discussions”; it was confirmed in the Sochi paddock by Monisha Kaltenborn, just before the race.
« It is a huge honor for Sauber to be able to work hand in hand with Honda in the coming seasons! » specified in this regard the team principal of the team based in Hinwil.
« Our realignment is not only visible with this association, there is also a technological partnership with Honda. We thank them for making this incredible operation possible! »
In the midst of reconstruction since last summer, Sauber is definitely giving itself the means to achieve its ambitions, following a 2016 season finished in 10th place and an unflattering start to 2017. Beyond the Japanese engine’s reliability deficit, the C37 will at least benefit from a current year’s engine, unlike its predecessor which is currently running with a one-year-old Ferrari engine.
In any case, Sauber’s new commitment ends the union with the Italian supplier, which was celebrated in 2010, after the withdrawal of BMW, the former owner of the team.
For Honda, this operation comes at the right time. Having returned in 2015 with the well-known difficulties, Honda will finally benefit from valuable points of comparison in its (long) quest for the top.
The operations director for the brand, Katsuhide Moriyama, also took the opportunity to remind that his employer will not let go of McLaren for 2018. However, it will be necessary to wait before confirming this hypothesis, as persistent rumors indicate an interest from the Woking brand in Mercedes, its former engine supplier.
« In addition to our partnership with McLaren, we will strengthen our development operations, in R&D at Sakura or within our factory in Milton Keynes. We will maximize the benefits for our two teams. We will continue our challenges so that our fans can see a powerful Honda engine as soon as possible. »
Great news for the team and a chance to double the R&D opportunity from 2018. #Honda https://t.co/zz6c68i9Rx
— McLaren (@McLarenF1) 30 avril 2017
