McLaren Racing Director Eric Boullier has claimed the failure to fully consider alternative means of helping Honda ultimately led to the decision to split with the Japanese manufacturer after 2017.
After months of speculation, it was confirmed last weekend in Singapore the two parties would be ending their partnership after just three years with the British team joining up with Renault from next season.
Commenting on how McLaren came to that decision, Boullier revealed several options put forward as soon as it became apparent the performance this year wasn’t where it should be.
“At the first tests of 2017, we realised serious problems were waiting for us,” he told Auto Hebdo. “We began to get nervous and started looking for solutions that could improve the situation.
“As a last resort, we were ready to offer that Honda skips the season while it improves and McLaren would use some other engines for that period.”
With that idea rejected, rumours began that a collaboration with Mercedes had been put forward, albeit, with some objections from midfield teams, and talks were seen taking place between McLaren and Mercedes as early as China and particularly Canada.
“Honda engineers and their colleagues from Mercedes could do a technical cooperation,” Boullier added confirming the stories. “Or forming our own group of specialists in the engine area made up of different companies to help Honda find more efficient solutions more quickly.”
Though the situation has improved somewhat since the start of the season with developments since June, it appears McLaren became certain that Honda was never going to reach the standard desired without outside help.
“Unfortunately, none of the proposals were properly explored and as a result, we ran out of arguments,” the Frenchman claimed. “We had to come to the conclusion that there was no other way out except for the termination of the cooperation.”
