McLaren-Honda will be using 2016 engine in Barcelona

McLaren and Honda on Thursday rubbished suggestions the 2015 engine will be taken to Barcelona next week. Reports in the Spanish specialist sports press had suggested the Japanese marque may hold back the debut of its more powerful 2016 power unit due to reliability problems with the new and larger turbo.

"No, not true," a McLaren spokesman told GMM on Thursday. And Honda spokesperson Akiko Itoga added: "(McLaren) is correct, we will be using the 2016 (engine)." The first of just eight days of official pre-season testing in Barcelona begins next Monday. (GMM)