Sauber renews Ferrari engine deal

Less than 24 hours after Sauber confirmed that it will not be going through with an original idea to switch to Honda engines, the Hinwil-based team said it was continuing with its current engine partner.

Unlike this year, when it is running year-old units, Sauber will get the latest-spec engines next season.

Team principal Fred Vasseur said: "I am very pleased to confirm that we will continue to work with Scuderia Ferrari as our engine supplier in form of a multi-year agreement.

"The shared experience between the Sauber F1 team and Ferrari has built a strong foundation, which will allow us to move forward swiftly and efficiently, also in terms of the development of the 2018 car.

"I am convinced that together we can achieve the results which reflect the passion and determination that is, and always has been, behind the Sauber F1 team."

Sauber first linked up with Ferrari back in 1997, and the new deal comes amid a renewed push from owners Longbow Finance to resurrect the fortunes of the outfit.

Sticking with Ferrari engines may also lead to the Swiss team taking on one of Ferrari's junior drivers next year – with Antonio Giovinazzi and Charles Leclerc both looking for F1 opportunities.

Vasseur admitted earlier this week that once the engine deal had been put in place, then the possibility of a driver partnership could also be sorted.

"That will be part of the discussions for sure," he said. "We'll see. Each point one by one, we first sort out the engine situation, and then drivers."