News has surfaced that Honda will return to Formula One by 2015, albeit in the guise of an engine supplier to McLaren. The Japanese manufacturer pulled its works team at the end of 2008, but apparently it has already started work on the new 1,6-litre V6 turbocharged engines required of the field from next year.
Honda president Takanobu Ito said: “We shall act as McLaren-Honda.”
McLaren has an engine supply contract with Mercedes with options for the team to renew for 2014 and 2015. McLaren will now only work with Mercedes for the 2014 season before switching to Honda.
This won’t be the first time Honda and McLaren will enter a significant Formula 1 relationship. Honda also supplied the British-based McLaren group with race engines between 1988 and 1992. Back then the relationship brought with it four drivers’ and constructors’ championship victories.
