Calling off Sauber’s planned tie-up with Honda in 2018 was the first act Fred Vasseur undertook as team principal, he has revealed.
Last year the Swiss team used year-old engines from Ferrari as expectations were they would end their association with the Scuderia after 20 years and jump to the Japanese manufacturer with Haas emerging as the Italian outfit’s top customer.
The deal was announced in May, after being agreed by former boss Monisha Kaltenborn but, as Honda’s engines problems continued, Vasseur immediately reversed the decision fearing the worst.
“I joined on July 17 at 9am, and the meeting [about Honda] was at 10am,” the Frenchman told Autosport. “For me it was important. It is never easy to change the engine supplier first, but Honda was not in very good shape.”
Well before agreeing to end their partnership after three years in September, the former Renault boss also believed the writing was on the wall regarding McLaren’s future with Honda.
“I was convinced, as I had some contacts at McLaren, that they would do their best to leave,” he said. “So I could not be in a position to risk that.
“Imagine today if I had to request the Honda gearbox from McLaren (which had been agreed under the deal)? It would be an absolute nightmare.”
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Instead, Sauber re-signed with Ferrari but not only that, now they have a title sponsor and technical partner in Alfa Romeo, the most upto date engine from Maranello and F2 champion Charles Leclerc in one of their seats.
Meanwhile, with McLaren now powered by Renault, Honda’s future lies with Toro Rosso, with Red Bull keen to weigh up their engine options for 2019 and beyond.