Some movement around the Honda F1 engine, which has been totally uninspiring in the McLaren chassis for the last two years. Questions being asked as to whether McLaren will continue.
Now add in the Sauber factor. Will Sauber want a Honda?
Honda are wanting an answer on the Sauber engine deal “now”, that’s according to their F1 chief Yusuke Hasegawa. Although Sauber announced at the Russian GP that they would race Honda engines in 2018, the deal was never finalized.
Monisha Kaltenborn’s departure soon after meant the deal was never formally signed with Honda now pressing for talks with new team boss Frederic Vasseur.
Asked when Honda needed to know whether it is on or not, Hasegawa replied “now”!
“As soon as possible. We cannot wait for next year’s preparations so we are working on it already and we really need to fix [a decision].
“From the plan point of view we are already working on [being ready for the Sauber supply in 2018].
“So we need to fix the plans, but we will just continue as we are for now. So far, no change.”
So where is McLaren in all this? It would take an enormous leap of faith to pin your hopes on the hopelessly unreliable Honda engine. But what else is there?
Well, there is always one year old Ferrari engines as have been used by Sauber up till now. Not as powerful as this year’s Ferrari engine, but very reliable.
My opinion is that Sauber will take the Ferrari engines for 2018, while McLaren will happily ditch the Honda boat anchors and pay for some 12 month old Ferrari engines as well.
