Though appearing unlikely just a week or two ago, a deal between McLaren and Renault for engines from 2018 does appear increasingly possible after bosses from both parties were seen in talks at Monza on Friday.
The British team is seemingly making a significant last effort to try and split from current partner Honda, with whom they have struggled with since re-collaborating in 2015. Renault remains the last option on the table as both Mercedes and Ferrari rejected a supply deal, but even then, success seems based on whether Red Bull can be convinced to do a deal with Honda for Toro Rosso.
McLaren has made it clear a decision will be made this month and potentially before the Singapore Grand Prix in two weeks time but, as Executive Director Zak Brown explained to Sky Sports, there is still a long way to go.
“It is very complicated,” he admitted. “There are a variety of pieces to the puzzle – some in our control, some not. If everything was done we would have a decision and an announcement to make. There are some challenges ahead of us that we need to navigate.
“It can still go either way. It’s probably one of the biggest decisions McLaren have ever had to make.”
After the presence of Motorsport Managing Director Ross Brawn was also seen in the talks between McLaren and Renault bosses in their motor-home, given the rules and the commercial aspect that has to be accounted for when changing supplier, that led to some thinking a deal was on the brink.
But Brown would reject that, responding: “We don’t have an agreement in place with anybody.”
Another key factor in talks could well be Fernando Alonso, both due to his previous associations with Renault and the feeling his continuation with McLaren depends on a Honda divorce.
Though quiet amid the Renault speculation, Honda F1 boss Yusuke Hasegawa suggested the Spaniard didn’t have an interest in remaining with their project when talking to reporters on Friday.
“It is very clear that currently, he doesn’t want to stay with Honda – this is very clear,” he said. “Also, he agreed that [once] he has some, how do I say, hope to Honda, or some expectation, or some possibility that Honda can improve… as soon as we can show him, maybe he [will] change his mind.”
As for the man himself, the 36-year-old is thought to be wanted by Williams for next year and commenting on his future claims he has some potentially competitive offers for next year.
“I’m going to have to sit down with all the options that we have and decide what’s the best one,” he said at Monza. “I believe there are options in the market to be winning next year and that’s going to be my only intention, and if I can’t find them or see them, I’ll try to win wherever I go, but I think it will go well and I’m optimistic,” he added.
