Zak Brown: "McLaren and Honda focused on working towards future"

Executive Director of McLaren Zak Brown says that the relationship between McLaren and Honda is strong and they are still working towards a brighter future together.

Too often now, there has been rumours of the two brands splitting their F1 partnership as Honda have failed to produce a competitive power unit in the three years of partnership. 

Brown has denied these suggestions that a divorce is on the cards, but admits that they are already eyeing 2018 when it comes to gaining some performance.

"No, we are working together," Brown is quoted by Auto Motor und Sport, even though he has been spotted talking with Mercedes engine boss Andy Cowell in China.

"We are all keen to move forward, but we have not set ourselves a 'day x' on which everything must be good. That wouldn't help us," he insisted.

"I said before the tests that we need to be better than in 2016, and we did not succeed in that. Now we have to work hard to get there, and take the next step for 2018 as well."

Fergal Walsh