Honda will supply the Swiss-based Sauber Formula 1 team with engines from '18, as well as McLaren, "in a move that the Japanese manufacturer hopes will help speed up the development of its troubled power unit," according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS. The deal was announced by both sides on Sunday at the Russian Grand Prix. No details about the cost or duration were given, although it is likely to be until '20 "at least." Honda currently has an exclusive agreement with McLaren F1 but that relationship, which started in '15, has been "strained due to a lack of engine performance and reliability." Honda Head of Brand & Communication Operations Katsuhide Moriyama said, "In addition to the partnership with McLaren which began in 2015, Honda will begin supplying power units to Sauber as a customer team starting from next year." Under F1 rules "designed to ensure no team is left without an engine supply," manufacturers are "obliged to supply a team if they have spare capacity and are asked to" (REUTERS, 4/30). The BBC's Andrew Benson reported Honda admitted it has "failed to make the progress it expected with a new engine design this year but is hopeful it can improve as this season develops." Sauber Team Principal Monisha Kaltenborn described the new engine deal as a "strategic and technical realignment" (BBC, 4/30).
