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McLaren-Honda saga to end in the coming days

Published on 08 Sep 2017 11:11
13
By: Rob Veenstra

The signs are growing by the day that McLaren and Honda are poised to split. As he waits for the saga to unfold, out-of-contract team driver Fernando Alonso has reportedly removed all reference to McLaren and its hapless Japanese engine supplier from his official Twitter profile.

Former F1 team owner and boss Gian Carlo Minardi thinks the die is cast on a McLaren-Renault deal for 2018. "During the delayed qualifying session at Monza, Zak Brown apparently signed an agreement with Cyril Abiteboul," said the Italian.

Minardi said he thinks the deal will be announced this week, with Honda staying in F1 by switching to the junior Red Bull team Toro Rosso. "As I say this, Honda's Yusuke Hawegawa is apparently flying to Japan to draw up the new programme," he added.

The Belgian newspaper La Derniere Heure reports that the saga could end over the course of the coming weekend. Hasegawa is quoted as sounding pessimistic that the McLaren-Honda relationship can be rescued. "We want to stay with McLaren, but our next big change (upgrade) is not planned until Suzuka," said the Japanese. "We're going to run out of time to convince them." (GMM)

mbmwe36

Posts: 533

Nooooooo! It's been the gift that has kept on giving for the last 2,5 years.
Like I've said before, I don't understand the timing at all, and in many ways, I think this will be the thing that will put them in the same category as Williams. A once great them so far removed from greatness that win... [Read more]

1
Sep 8 2017 - 11:19

F1 News Fernando Alonso McLaren

Replies (13)

mbmwe36

Posts: 533
Nooooooo! It's been the gift that has kept on giving for the last 2,5 years.
Like I've said before, I don't understand the timing at all, and in many ways, I think this will be the thing that will put them in the same category as Williams. A once great them so far removed from greatness that winning am occasional race is celebrated like winning the World Championship.
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- Sep 8 2017 - 11:19
mclarenfan1968

Posts: 1,027
Good riddance if this comes true but I doubt it. Toro Rosso will have to be paid through the roof to accept these turd engines.
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- Sep 8 2017 - 11:36
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
I love how all are so sure that it'll end just because Sky says so.
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- Sep 8 2017 - 12:03
- mclarenfan1968
  
  Posts: 1,027
  Sky (aka Brit-trash) says many things for click bait. Good money is on Toro Rosso telling Honda to suck their balls for free, K.Mag will feel flattered.
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  Sep 8 2017 - 16:51
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I find them entertaining, but they sure love their gossip. Im pretty sure either McLaren or Toro Rosso will have Honda for next year. I think its a mistake for McLaren do leave them though, since they'll have a harder time without Honda's money, along with paying up for breaking a contract, having a ridiculously expensive driver on board, and now paying more for an every so slightly better engine. Just my take on it though.
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  Sep 8 2017 - 16:56
Rindtchamp

Posts: 304
Good riddance, these engines have been garbage from day 1 and three years of effort later they are still garbage. Honda's arrogance will stop them from developing a good F1 engine.
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- Sep 8 2017 - 12:34
TLBoy

Posts: 1
It's a shame that both McLaren and Williams are laid low, it's true. I'm reminded of a quote I heard though....

"A king has his reign, and then he dies. It's inevitable. That is natural order of things.
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- Sep 8 2017 - 13:41
Harryw

Posts: 107
I hope short term its Renault but longer term a engine supplier who can challenge top engines. as everyone says here being a customer of another f1 team will kill their ambition
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- Sep 8 2017 - 13:46
Bhurt

Posts: 320
Going through all of this just to keep Alonso on board. Factor in the cost of this deal (if it happens) and he must be the most expensive athlete on the planet.

Mind boggling.
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- Sep 8 2017 - 22:17
Karl

Posts: 10
They'd better focus on Honda and Vandoorne instead of Alonso and Renault. Better bet for the future.
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- Sep 9 2017 - 15:43
RogerF1

Posts: 501
Am I missing something? No news stories since this one on the 8th?
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- Sep 10 2017 - 21:31
Honululursa

Posts: 1
Guys, you got it wrong.
Alonso has always made bad decisions at the wrong time.
Honda is going to come right before the end of the season. They will be on par or better than Renault before the end of the season. This means that McLaren will lose about R100m just for taking a stupid decision.

Redbull in the mean time will have exclusive rights to the Honda Engine for free and will prevent McLaren from getting back in if they anted to.
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- Sep 10 2017 - 22:58
- boudy
  
  Posts: 1,168
  That might happen, although more likely is the linkup between Honda and Redbull will help the Honda power unit. It would be interesting to see the issues are replicated with an Toro Rosso chassis. Would love for redbull to tie up with Honda.
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  Sep 11 2017 - 10:30