Sauber aims to finalise engine deal before summer break
New Sauber team principal Fred Vasseur is hoping to finalise a 2018 engine supply deal before the summer break.
Photo by: Sutton Images
The Frenchman has also made it clear that the Swiss team has to have current technology rather than year-old units, despite the inevitable extra cost.
Sauber finally confirmed earlier today that it has cancelled plans to join forces with Honda next year, leaving it temporarily without a future supply contract.
"We did it mutually," said Vasseur of the change of plans. "I think the start of the discussion between Honda and Sauber was eight months ago, and the situation changed drastically on both sides.
"We reached the stage that at one point it was better for everybody to stop the discussion.
"We did it in a very fair way with Honda, and I would like to thank them for the discussion we had over the last 10 days. But it was a good thing for me.
"And the second part of the discussion is that now we've stopped the discussion with Honda, we have to find a new one [partner].
"We have not so many engine suppliers in the paddock, and we will be able to close the deal quite soon."
Expanding on what had changed so dramatically with Honda, he added: "On one hand we are in quite a tough situation in terms of pace, and we need to have a reference. On the Honda side we don't know exactly what will happen with the McLaren deal. It's also a tricky situation for us."
Vasseur admitted that the team will need to know as soon as possible what engine it will be using next year.
"The sooner the better, for sure. We need to move forward on the design of the car, and we have to take a decision. I hope that we will be able to do it before the shutdown."
While Vasseur has close links with Mercedes, logic suggests that Sauber will ultimately renew its relationship with Ferrari, who will also still have the capacity to supply a gearbox.
Had it stayed with Honda the team would have used a McLaren gearbox in 2018.
"In our situation we need to find a global deal, engine and gearbox, we won't be able to build up our own gearbox next year, and we are discussing for a global position."
Vasseur is adamant that the team must have current spec engines in order to motivate the personnel.
"I think it's a key point. We are in a tough situation this season. First you have no update during the season, no update of fuel, lubricants and so on.
"I think at some stage it's probably more difficult to motivate everybody in the team if you start the season with the engine of the previous year.
"It's not a matter of money. I think it's important for the team. I don't want to speak about the company, but for the team, for every single person in the team, to be sure we are pushing like hell on every single department.
"The engine is one part of the discussion, and we need to have the last spec of the engine, for sure."
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