Sauber confirms deal to use Honda Formula 1 engines in 2018

McLaren has had an exclusive works deal with Honda since the Japanese manufacturer returned to F1 for 2015, so Sauber will become its first customer of the V6 hybrid turbo era.

Sauber is in a rebuilding phase following a change of ownership last summer, and is using uncompetitive 2016 Ferrari engines this season.

The Swiss team has been in advanced talks with Honda since March about a deal, and has now confirmed Honda will become its technical partner.

The new tie up with Honda will end Sauber's association with Ferrari, which stretches back to 2010 following BMW's withdrawal from F1.

"It is a great honour for Sauber to be able to work together with Honda in the coming seasons," said Sauber team boss Monisha Kaltenborn.

"Our realignment is not just visible through the new ownership, but also now with our new technological partnership with Honda.

"We very much look forward to our partnership with Honda, which sets the course for a successful future - from a strategic as well as from a technological perspective.

"We thank Honda for making this great partnership happen."

Honda has endured a troubled time since it came back to F1, and this year has spoken regularly about the potential benefit of supplying more teams in the interest of accelerating development of its recalcitrant engine.

Katsuhide Moriyama, Honda's chief officers for brand a communication operations, said: "In addition to the partnership with McLaren, Honda will begin supplying power units to Sauber as a customer team starting from next year.

"This will be a new challenge in Honda's F1 activities.

"In order to leverage the benefits of supplying to two teams to the maximum extent, we will strengthen the systems and capabilities of both of our two development operations, namely HRD Sakura and the operation in Milton Keynes.

"We will continue our challenges so that our fans will enjoy seeing a Honda with dominant strength as soon as possible."