Mclaren To End Engine Partnership With Honda And Switch To Renault Next Season

15 September 2017 03:44

McLaren have put an end to their Honda nightmare after formally confirming they are severing ties with the beleaguered Japanese manufacturer.

The British team, a winner of 20 world championships, will switch to Renault power next season in a desperate bid to propel them up the Formula One grid.

Honda returned to the sport to team up with McLaren in 2015, but the relationship has turned increasingly sour following another year in which they have been plagued with both a slow and unreliable engine.

McLaren's move to Renault, the third best of four engines currently in the sport, is also likely to be enough to seal Fernando Alonso's short-term future with the team.

Alonso, 36, is out of contract with McLaren at the end of the season, but is set to put pen-to-paper on a one-year extension.

Honda are set to remain on the grid next season and will partner Red Bull's sister team Toro Rosso.

"There has never been any doubt over Honda's commitment and energy to the mission of success in Formula One," McLaren's executive director Zak Brown said.

"They are proven winners and innovators. For a combination of reasons our partnership has not flourished as any of us would have wished.

"It is certainly not for the want of effort on the part of either Honda or McLaren, but the time has come to move ahead in different directions.

"As fellow racers, we hope to see the great name of Honda get back to the top - our sport is better for their involvement. I know this view is shared by everyone in the sport."

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Source: PA-WIRE