McLaren-Renault partnership confirmed

We announced it to you in issue 2030 of AUTOhebdo. McLaren confirmed in the Singapore GP paddock that it will end its contract with Honda at the end of the season to become a customer team of Renault next year. The Woking team has experienced a difficult partnership with the Japanese engine manufacturer with whom it has not found the podium in the last three seasons.

“We have never doubted Honda's commitment to F1, comments Zak Brown, executive director of McLaren Technology Group. For a number of reasons, our partnership did not bear fruit. It's certainly not due to a lack of will on the part of Honda or McLaren, but the time has come for us to move in different directions. As competitors, we hope to see the Honda name back at the forefront because our discipline is better with them and I know that this opinion is shared by everyone in this discipline. »

Honda will maintain a program next year by equipping the Toro Rosso. The contract linking the Faenza team to Renault was also abandoned at the end of the season.

“It is regrettable that we had to part ways with McLaren before we could achieve our objectives, but we made this choice believing it was the best thing to do for both parties, adds Takahiro Hachigo, president and director of Honda Motor Co. Ltd. On behalf of Honda, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the public who have supported the team and drivers and who have shared the joys and disappointments since our return to F1 in 2015. Honda will continue to fight alongside McLaren until 'at the end of the 2017 season and will then continue his F1 activities in 2018 and beyond. »

Renault has confirmed that its contract with McLaren extends over three years, from 2018 to 2020. This will be the first time that the Woking team will work with the Losange, although it has already had a French engine manufacturer with Peugeot in 1994.

“It’s a strategic decision for Renault Sport Racing, explains Jérôme Stoll, president of Renault Sport Racing. We are proud of this agreement with a structure that has such a long history in F1. This alliance is not only technical and sporting but will also benefit marketing and communication. »

“This news gives us the stability necessary to progress with our technical program and in the field of chassis for 2018 without having to hesitate, explains Zak Brown. We are confident that we can bring real added value to Renault Sport Racing by working together to develop the current Power Unit so that it wins races on a regular basis. »