Sauber's planned Formula 1 partnership with "troubled" Japanese engine maker Honda from next season has been canceled, both parties announced at the Hungarian Grand Prix on Thursday, according to Alan Baldwin of REUTERS. Sauber, which currently uses a year-old Ferrari power unit, said that "a new engine partner would be announced soon." Honda, which risks "having no team to supply next season" if McLaren also decides to end their "rocky relationship," said in a separate statement that its "strong commitment" to F1 "remained unchanged." Sauber Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur said, "It is very unfortunate that we have to discontinue the planned collaboration with Honda at this stage. However, this decision has been made for strategic reasons, and with the best intent for the future of the Sauber F1 Team in mind" (REUTERS, 7/27). MOTORSPORT's Lawrence Barretto reported the deal was put together by Honda Motorsport GM Masashi Yamamoto and former Sauber Team Principal Monisha Kaltenborn. Following Kaltenborn's departure in June, Sauber and Honda held talks and decided "differences in the future directions" of the two parties meant it was "best to cancel the deal" (MOTORSPORT, 7/27).
