Vasseur: 'Discussions with Honda are underway'

Sauber team principal Frederic Vasseur has made Honda his number one priority as the Frenchman begins work with the Swiss outfit.

Sauber signed an engine partnership with the Japanese manufacturer but the deal, brokered by former team boss Monisha Kaltenbor, now appears to be off, although Vasseur would neither confirm or deny the rumors.

"The Honda issue is on the table and will be my first priority," Vasseur told L'Equipe.

"It needs to be dealt with rapidly. From what I've heard from McLaren, it's a bit frightening."

Vasseur's comments don't bode well for an effective activation of the Sauber-Honda partnership, and all signs point to the deal being written-off.

Sauber would therefore be free to negotiate an engine deal with another supplier, with Mercedes perhaps an option given the Frenchman's close relationship with the German manufacturer.

Sauber confirms Frederic Vasseur as new Team Principal

Vasseur insists that Longbow Financial, the team's owners, have given him a blank cheque when it comes to running the Hinwill-based outfit as he wants, and with the driver's he chooses.

Longbow's well-known support of Marcus Ericsson does not provide the Swedish driver with a de facto preferential status, according to Vasseur.

"You can't have a team's future centered around one driver, it's not healthy" says the ART Grand Prix co-founder.

"If Marcus wants a career, which I'm sure he does, and he wants to win, he'll probably have ambitions beyond Sauber.

"The team itself may also want to have other drivers. I'll have the final word when it comes to the drivers. And Sauber's aim is to bet on the future by working with young talent."

Perhaps the Swiss outfit will extend its current engine partnership with Ferrari and aim to have F2 winner Charles Leclerc on-board in 2018?

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.