McLaren insists it has not made a decision on its 2018 engine supplier, though it has begun talks with Renault.
After spending three years towards the back of the grid with Honda power units, McLaren is exploring alternatives in the hope of a more competitive 2018. But the team has not made the decision to leave Honda, yet. Team boss Zak Brown says McLaren has until mid-September to make that choice.
“It’s very complicated,” he told Sky Sports.
“There are a variety of pieces to the puzzle – some in our control, some not.
“It can still go either way. It’s probably one of the biggest decisions McLaren has ever had to make.”
The commercial deal is a big factor in the McLaren-Honda relationship. Brown admitted the money his team receives from Honda – believed to be at least £50 million a year – will play a part in the decision but will not be the deciding factor.
“We can’t afford not to be on the podium,” he said.
“It’s a big decision that has lots of elements to it and economics are one. But fortunately we have extremely committed shareholders which means we can make a sporting decision and deal with the economics.”
Brown also insisted sticking with Honda would not automatically mean losing star driver Fernando Alonso.
“Fernando has not given us any ultimatum, that it’s ‘them or us’, at all. His decision will be based on whether he thinks we will be competitive or not. He’s not been engine-specific in his desires.”
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