Sauber F1 drivers Ericsson, Wehrlein say Honda is right 2018 choice

Ferrari has supplied Sauber's engines since the team returned to independent status in 2010 following its years as BMW's factory operation.

Honda's return to F1 with McLaren has been troubled so far, but Sauber's two drivers - whose deals are only for 2017 at present - believe the move can pay off.

"I think for the team it's a good step," said Ericsson.

"Obviously looking at it now it doesn't look so good, because Honda is having very big problems.

"But I think for longer-term it's the right decision for the team. I think there is potential there."

Wehrlein echoed his team-mate's sentiment.

"I cannot say too much about it as I'm contracted to Sauber only for the 2017 season, but I think it's a great decision for the team," said the Mercedes protege.

"Hopefully Honda is able to do its part to give Sauber the chance to be competitive next year."

Sauber is using 2016-spec Ferrari engines this season, and struggled noticeably at the power-sensitive Sochi track last weekend - where Ericsson and Wehrlein finished at the back behind the McLaren-Honda of Stoffel Vandoorne.

Responding to the suggestion that Sauber would've been better off running Honda power units in 2017, Ericsson said: "Obviously we're running a year-old Ferrari engine, which is not going to [get much development] this season - so maybe it would've been better to be with a Honda engine now and trying to get that to work.

"But we have what we have now and we have been trying to always maximise the Ferrari power unit we have."

Asked by Autosport whether he was worried Sauber was at a power deficit so early in the season, Ericsson replied: "It's, of course, not what we want, but that's what it is and it's a fact. And we cannot do much about it.

"I think there will be certain tracks where we're going to struggle more and certain tracks where the engine is a bit less important.

"We just need to keep our spirit high and work hard and we need to develop the car during the season, like we have planned.

"Feeling sorry that we have an old power unit is not going to help with anything."