McLaren has decisions to make with Honda
- Published on 08 Jun 2017 10:27
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- By: Fergal Walsh
McLaren boss Zak Brown has said that the Woking squad has now begun a potentially pivotal period of decision-making with engine partner Honda - one which could see the two parties finally split after three woefully uncompetitive seasons.
The Japanese manufacturer was due to provide McLaren with a new engine upgrade for this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix, but Brown has now told Reuters that this has been delayed. Of the team's current situation, he said: "I don't want to get into what our options are. Our preference is to win the World Championship with Honda.
"But at some point you need to make a decision as to whether that's achievable. And we have serious concerns. Missing upgrades, and upgrades not delivering to the level we were told they were going to, you can only take that so long. And we're near our limit."
Despite the severity of McLaren-Honda's performance deficit to its rivals, Brown has often reiterated the team's commitment to succeeding with its supplier - but he now says that the next 90 days will determine the future of the partnership: "It will all come together," he added. "There's lots of things that go into the decision and we're entering that window now of 'which way do you go when you come to the fork in the road.'"
Mason Hawker
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Replies (5)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
It would be great if they split, the whole thing has been a failure
F1todayfan101
Posts: 120
The decision in easy with respect to Honda. The real questions is; Can they find another engine in the next 90 days?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
90 days is reasonable, will probably help them to evaluate how committed Honda truly is to F1. Though as far as I know, they've already missed the window for switching supplier for 2018, and even if they havent, they'd need to find a supplier willing to supply them. Mercedes is already barred, I dont think Ferrari want to supply them, and would they be willing to switch to only the third best?
boudy
Posts: 1,168
So they suffered all they did for nothing? No mcLaren will should stay with Honda, if the regs stay the same they will catch up.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I agree to an extent, I want them to stay, and I want these years to not have been for naught. And as I've said, it will be hard for McLaren to make a successful split from them either way: they will have a hard time finding a willing supplier, and are as of now very reliant on funds from Honda. But as much as I like Honda (they are my favourite car manufacturer), it wont make sense for McLaren to stay if Honda cannot provide them with a competitive PU.