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Honda has confirmed that it is talking to a number of potential customers over a deal to supply engines. Speculation is mounting that the Japanese manufacturer could link up with Toro Rosso for the 2018 season, while rumours of a Williams-Honda deal have also been cropped up.
On Thursday, Sauber announced that it had cancelled the deal with Honda over a 2018 engine deal. With McLaren uncertain on whether they will remain with Honda for next season, Honda has been reviewing its options for the future.
It is hoping to remain with McLaren next year but wants to add another team to its portfolio, believing that receiving more data will allow them to make gains faster and return to competitiveness a lot sooner. Honda's general manager of motorsport Masashi Yamamoto would not confirm who he was speaking to.
A Toro Rosso-Honda deal is emerging as the most likely scenario, even though the Red Bull junior team have a contract in place to run Renault engines in 2018. Red Bull would be able to benefit from it, as it would monitor the progress of Honda and then decide itself whether or not to switch from Renault.
Renault itself say that it wishes to supply up to three teams with engines, which it does in 2017. However, if Toro Rosso was to make the move to Honda, a spot would open up for a new Renault customer which could trigger McLaren to cancel its Honda partnership and bring in Renault power.
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (5)
Login to replyf1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Toro Rosso deal would make a lot of sense
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Williams Honda? Not likely. Williams are far too pleased with their Mercedes deal. Williams Toro Rosso? Could be. It wouldnt surprise me if Red Bull would do that to evaluate Honda first, and then, if it works out, switch to Honda and hope for works status. Toro Rosso is Red Bull's B-team, they can afford using it as a test mule.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
Yeah, Toro Rosso would be my best guess as well.
I could kinda sorta seem them working something out with Force India, if the money is right. I think the Honda engine is now better than its reputation (which isn't saying much, I know) however, the reliability is still a huge issue. But they could throw a Hail Mary and hope Honda finds the golden ticket either next year, or in 2019.
The reason I'm even entertaining this thought is that FI has kind of hit its ceiling as it is now.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I agree, it does look better, however the start of this season has pretty much ruined it's reputation for this year. I hope we'll sort of see what we saw in 2015-2016. If not, Honda could very well be without a partner post 2018.
Force India, you say? Thats a wild one, especially since they seem to generally be pleased with Mercedes, but who knows at this stage. I sort of agree that FI seem to be at their limit, but still, who knows? If they really nail the chassis next year, they could very well be a front runner. A big if, but still.
mclarenfan1968
Posts: 1,027
Heck at this stage Mclaren can might as well use Renault engines. Hondas are absolute trash. Torso Rosso wants to commit suicide in 2018? Lol go right ahead, it's their funeral.