The McLaren-Honda partnership seems to be on the rocks after the Woking based team gave their engine suppliers Honda 90 days to figure out their current issues.
The step could be taken a step further, as Bild newspaper claims that the two could split in just two races time: "Bild has learned that if the Japanese do not supply a competitive engine in the next few weeks, McLaren will not end the season with Honda. In two more races, McLaren and Honda could divorce."
So with the prospect of McLaren-Honda divorce now looming, it means Sauber could find itself as the factory Honda-powered team in 2018: "We are not discussing this," team boss Monisha Kaltenborn said in Montreal. "We do not know what the situation is with Honda and McLaren, and it's not our business. We are engaged in a very different project that has nothing to do with McLaren," she added.
Germany's Auto Motor und Sport claims that because McLaren is bound by contracts, it is applying huge pressure so that it is Honda that decides to terminate the deal.
Fergal Walsh
Local time
Local time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Replies (2)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Let's hope so!
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
You cannot split that quickly or simply, it doesnt work like that. The window for splitting this season is long gone, and they are closing in on the window for switching supplier for the next season aswell. If they do split within 2 races, it will be an announcement that they will race with another engine supplier for the next season. They will have to stick with Honda for the rest of this season.