The so-called solar cycle is generally characterized by the quasi-periodic oscillatory evolution of the photospheric spots number. This quasi-periodic pattern has always been an intriguing question. Several physical models were proposed to explain this evolution and many mathematical data analysis were employed to determine the principal frequencies noticeable in the measured data. Both approaches try to predict the future evolution of the solar activity and to understand the physical phenomena producing these cycles. Here we present the analysis of the sunspots number evolution using the time-delay approach. Our results show than the solar cycle can also be characterized by this behavior implying the influence of the past evolution over the present one, suggesting an histeresis mechanism, linked probably with magnetic activity.