McLaren considering Honda power for V6 turbo engines of 2014 – Formula 1 news
McLaren are reportedly considering using Honda engines starting from 2014 when Formula 1 shifts to V6 turbo engines.
McLaren currently use Mercedes engines, which Mercedes provides for free, however the deal is due to expire at the end of 2012. Although the deal also states that Mercedes can provide the Woking-based team with the engines until at least 2015 but they will
have to pay around eight million Euros for that.
On the other hand, Mercedes now has their own team in Formula 1, the Mercedes GP, due to which reports have been coming that McLaren have already started to look for new engine partners.
Amid reports in Auto Motor und Sport, a German based source has claimed that the Woking team has put down Honda in the list of probable candidates to provide them with engines. Though it unsure whether McLaren will be looking to make the deal by the end
of 2012 or will they want the engines starting the 2014 season, which will the beginning to a new era of Formula 1 with V6 turbo engines.
It was also noted by the German publication that a senior manager of Honda at Suzuki had stated that the Japanese car company is ready to make its way back to Formula 1 which it left back in 2008. However, the Honda management is yet to give any confirmation
of a possible comeback.
If Honda finally does become the engine supplier for McLaren, it will not be the first time. The duo has collaborated in the past and with success too, between 1988 and 1992. During the collaboration, McLaren claimed four drivers’ titles with the Honda powered
engines.
Honda itself had an established team in Formula 1, but in 2008, they sold their F1 team to Brawn GP which ran for almost 2 years of success, before they became Mercedes GP.
It will be interesting to see whether McLaren makes the big leap or not, but if they decide to, it is quite possible for them to make the change for the new 2014 format of Formula 1, though the confirmation of any such deals is yet to be seen.
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