Honda: Sauber deal proves our F1 commitment

Taking on Sauber as a second power unit customer shows the depth of Honda's commitment to succeed in Formula 1, according to Yusuke Hasegawa.

Honda has struggled since returning to F1 at the start of the 2015 season, with three years as exclusive partner to McLaren yet to yield a podium. After signs of improvement in 2016, this year has proven difficult, but there was positive news during the Russian Grand Prix weekend when it was announced the Japanese manufacturer will also supply Sauber from next season.

Hasegawa, who is Honda's head of F1 project, says the deal is proof the company will not quit despite its current troubles.

"Yes, [the Sauber deal is an added investment] that's true, so it's also very good," Hasegawa told RACER. "You can feel that it is part of our commitment."

And Hasegawa believes having extra cars will help iron out reliability issues earlier, with McLaren already having weathered a raft of power unit-related problems in the opening races of the current season.

"Something like the issue in Russia – if we had four cars running then we would have found it two races before. So that's a good thing, and obviously more running, getting [more] car data, is a very good thing for us."

Honda is also taking confidence from Sauber's desire to use its power unit, with the Swiss team making the initial contact about a future supply deal despite a difficult return so far.

"Originally, yes [Sauber initiated talks]. The conversation started from their initial approach, so it was their intention. And also it is quite positive so that we can contribute to more than one F1 team."

Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn recently told RACER she has no concerns about Honda's current power unit performance ahead of the beginning of the partnership next year. Both Sauber and McLaren have failed to score a point so far this season, the only two teams yet to do so.