Breaking Point for McLaren-Honda?

Pressure is on for the Anglo-Japanese

- Rob Ladbrook

Honda has denied that its relationship with McLaren is at breaking point amid reports that the team sounded out an emergency customer engine deal with Mercedes on the eve of the new season.

Reports surfaced last week that McLaren bosses had held informal talks with former engine supplier Mercedes about the potential to run the Anglo German firm’s power units this year. McLaren’s approach is believed to be for the engine supply run that was formerly earmarked for the now-defunct Manor team. Those engines could be ready for later this season, but they would likely mark a step-change in McLaren’s design and installation plans aboard the MCL32.

The approach comes in the aftermath of a disastrous start to 2017 for Honda, which suffered a string of technical issues during the eight days of pre-season testing. A combination of electrical, vibration, power and drivability issues – combined with an as-yet-unconfirmed ICE failure – meant the Japanese brand used a total of seven power units over the eight days – more than its intended allocation for the entire season. In contrast Mercedes had no major failures, and Ferrari just one.

McLaren team head Eric Boullier then added fuel to the fire by telling Spanish media that he believed the team would be winning races again this year if it was running Mercedes engines. The comment was intended to show McLaren’s belief in the strength of its chassis, but instead spoke volumes about what the team believes is holding it back.

Boullier also said in Spain that McLaren and Honda’s relationship was feeling “maximum strain” after the repeated troubles with Honda’s new-generation power unit.