Sauber In Talks With Honda

[LEDzZzEPP]

Maybe Honda work better with Sauber, than with...

 

[Michael Watts]

Are they trying to not be competitive anymore?

 

[Jan Larsen]

They've never been, but yeah, that'd be a borderline stupid decision as things are now.

 

[burrito]

I imagine the financial incentives would be enough to make up for the performance. And if they get the engines for free and maybe even offer a seat for a japanese driver that Honda will pay for that is a massive boost for Sauber.

The other major thing for Honda, and the reason why they may pay so much, is that it doubles the milage the engine will get. Exclusive deals for three years for new manufacturers is suicide as has been proved. More milage means more issues but they can be found, theoretically, twice as fast with four cars rather than two.

If Honda provide free engines and pay a Japanese Sauber drivers salary I think it makes a lot of sense for Sauber. Bear in mind they still had to pay for year old Ferrari engines that are also completely off pace, in terms of reliability (many TC issues for Ferrari last year hurt their qualifying and faster engine modes) and in terms of performance. There is an argument that the Honda could be as good as a year old supply by the end of the year but Sauber, the poorest team on the grid get them for free and only have to employ Marcus Ericsson as a driver.

All theoretical but as Honda pay for Alonso's salary it's not too far fetched.