Honda could already be considering life after McLaren with a report suggesting a partnership with Williams from 2018 could be on the cards.
Both executive director Zak Brown and racing director Eric Boullier have been increasingly harsh in their criticism towards the struggling Japanese manufacturer in recent weeks, with Brown particularly angered by broken promises of upgrades and claiming the British team was “near our limit” with Honda.
Speculation has already linked McLaren with a return to Mercedes engines for next year and now veteran Swiss journalist Roger Benoit has said an effective swap with Williams could be the pathway to make that happen.
“The final question is whether the Silver Arrows actually want to revert to such a dangerous rival as McLaren,” he said for the Blick publication, highlighting the major hurdle in a potential deal with Mercedes.
It is already known Honda will Sauber with engines from next year in a deal announced in Spain but, as Benoit noted when it comes whether Williams agrees to change or not: “The outcome really does not matter, as they will remain Honda’s number 2 team next year.”
Williams and Honda also have a history together, with Nelson Piquet claiming his Formula 1 championship during a partnership between 1983 and 1987.
However, the official line from Honda remains one of wanting to work with McLaren to solve their ongoing issues as their F1 chief Yusuke Hasegawa told RACER: “I don’t think it (the relationship) has changed since the winter Barcelona test.
“They are all still frustrated, and of course we are frustrated as well. So Zak’s comments are very understandable. We are frustrated and we are disappointed, so it’s no wonder if they comment about something like that.
“But feeling frustration in the race does not directly mean ‘they want to divorce’ nor are ‘ending the contract’. The frustration in the race and the decision making for the relationship are totally different matters.”
Zak Brown was then asked what was needed to ease the ongoing tension: “Ultimately what we need to see is the delivery of what their expectations are on where they think they are going to get the power unit in the foreseeable couple of months,” he responded.