Sauber cancels Honda deal

Sauber has cancelled its planned power unit deal with Honda in 2018.

The partnership was announced during the Russian Grand Prix weekend in April, with Sauber set to be the first team other than McLaren to use a Honda since the Japanese manufacturer's return to Formula 1 in 2015. However, the departure of Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn – who had been instrumental in agreeing the deal – in June immediately threw the plan into doubt.

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Sauber has now confirmed it has decided not to go ahead with the deal, with new team principal Frederic Vasseur stating it wasn't the best move for the team.

"It is very unfortunate that we have to discontinue the planned collaboration with Honda at this stage," Vasseur said. "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 1."

In the statement, Sauber said its "new engine partner will be announced shortly". Vasseur enjoys a good relationship with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, while the team already has links with Mercedes as a result of running young driver Pascal Wehrlein this season.

Sauber is running a year-old Ferrari specification power unit this year, with Kaltenborn having brought an end to the partnership. However, it is understood the change in management at Sauber has reopened the possibility of that collaboration continuing in the future. While Mercedes also supplies Williams and Force India and Renault has two customers in Red Bull and Toro Rosso, Ferrari was due to only supply Haas in 2018.