Tag: McLaren-Honda

Categories
Formula 1 Honda McLaren

2015 McLaren-Honda partnership confirmed

McLaren-Honda MP4-4

The widely tipped news that Honda would return to Formula 1 to reunite with McLaren in 2015 has been confirmed today.

Honda left F1 at the end of the 2008 season with little success at the time and global financial pressures forcing their hand. It’s great to see them back in F1 and they’ll be hoping their glory days with McLaren, when Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna seemingly won races at will, can be rekindled.

No contract length has been given in the official press releases below, other than to say this is a “multi-year deal”.

Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda said the switch to 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engines, coming into place next year, has attracted Honda’s return: “We have the greatest respect for the FIA’s decision to introduce these new regulations that are both highly challenging but also attractive to manufacturers that pursue environmental technologies and to Formula One Group, which has developed F1 into a high value, top car racing category supported by enthusiastic fans.

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren Group CEO, is also keen to reignite the flame both companies have enjoyed in the past: “The names of McLaren and Honda are synonymous with success in Formula 1, and, for everyone who works for both companies, the weight of our past achievements together lies heavily on our shoulders. But it’s a mark of the ambition and resolve we both share that we want once again to take McLaren-Honda to the very pinnacle of Formula 1 success. Together we have a great legacy – and we’re utterly committed to maintaining it.

Whitmarsh also commented briefly on McLaren’s relationship with Mercedes-Benz, which will continue in 2014: “It’s appropriate to recognise that until the end of 2014 we’ll maintain a full commitment to our existing and long-standing partner, Mercedes-Benz, for which we retain the utmost respect and with whom we intend to continue to work diligently and professionally.”

Full statements from McLaren and Honda can be read after the break. There’s a video from today’s announcement too, with Martin Whitmarsh’s speech taking place about 5:44 into the 12 minute clip.

Continue reading “2015 McLaren-Honda partnership confirmed”
Categories
Formula 1 Honda McLaren

McLaren-Honda 2015 announcement imminent

Ayrton Senna, 1991 Belgian GP

The rumours of a McLaren–Honda reunification aren’t new, but an official announcement could be made as soon as today.

Japanese media have increased their coverage of Honda’s return to F1 in recent days and it’s expected Chief Executive Takanobu will release a statement confirming a new deal with McLaren to commence in 2015, one year after the introduction of the new 1.6 litre V6 turbocharged engine regulations.

An unnamed source said: “That incubator aspect of the sport makes Honda’s participation worthwhile.”

McLaren has an engine deal with Mercedes-Benz that is locked in place until the end of next season. With Mercedes likely to field engines for a number of customer teams in 2014 there should be no issues with supplying McLaren even if a new deal with Honda is confirmed.

[Source: Reuters F1 | Pic: Cahier Archive]

UPDATE: Honda’s confirmation been announced. We’ll bring their official press release when we can.

Categories
Formula 1 Honda McLaren

McLaren-Honda reunification likely in 2015

McLaren-Honda MP4-5

Formula 1 fans from the 1980s and 1990s will welcome the news that a McLaren-Honda partnership is expected to return to the F1 grid in 2015.

McLaren currently has a contract with Mercedes-Benz that gives them the option of using their engines until the end of the 2015 season. However, when asked directly if McLaren would stick with Mercedes for the full term of their contract Martin Whitmarsh said: “We have a contract that covers the next three seasons at the moment and we will certainly go into next year with Mercedes-Benz.”

A specific mention for 2014, when the new V6 turbocharged engine regs come into play, but no mention of 2015. Autosport reports that Honda officials have confirmed with them that they are planning to reunite with McLaren in 2015.

As it stands 2014 faces the prospect of having just three engine makers in F1: Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Renault. Martin Whitmarsh says new manufacturers entering F1 would be a good thing “We have read the stories about Porsche, Hyundai and Honda and I think they are to be encouraged,” he said.

“The sport needs new automotive manufacturers to come in and if we can help that in any way, we will do so, but at the moment we are very focused on our partnership [with Mercedes], which has been a very good partnership.”

When McLaren last used Honda engines, 1988–92, the net result was four driver and constructor championship doubles.

Meanwhile, McLaren has confirmed that 2013 will be the last year it will carry Vodafone sponsorship. They say a new title sponsor has already been sewn up, but they won’t make any announcement until December, after the season has finished.

[Source: Autosport | Pic: Wikimedia Commons]