Should McLaren return to Mercedes?

[Vasconia]

I mean it hasnt been great. But it hasn't hit full RBR/Renault from 2014. And what has been said they need to sit down and put it behind them. Neither of them will make any progress in a hostile environment. Like I said, I don't think its acceptable how Honda has done.

The job done by Honda is terrible and the lack of confidence and coordination has been a problem since the very beginning but as you say, if you let the environment become hostile with certain public comments the situation will become even worse. Reproaches must be behind the doors.

[DiogoBrand]

Please! For the love of Odin! Tell me where BMW is hiding their super powerful super efficient super awesome formula one engine that no one heard about before!

BMW Motorsport
Anton-Ditt-Bogen 20
80939 München

That's where i would start searching.....

Maybe they're gonna take road car engine blocks and pee on them like they did in the 80's. They just didn't have time to let them rust properly yet.

[djones]

Its all very well saying should they go to Mercedes.

Would Mercedes even let one of the very top teams (potentially) use one of their engines?

I think not. And I don't this Ferrari would sell them engines either.

That leaves Renault. And I think Red Bull would kick up a fuss about it and block the move.

So I honestly think McLaren are left with Honda and not even out of their own choice.

[OneAlex]

That leaves Renault. And I think Red Bull would kick up a fuss about it and block the move.

You're forgetting, Red Bull isn't powered by Renault, they're powered by a watch.

[Thunder]

Apparently Mansour Ojjeh contacted Merc about it...
http://www.autobild.de/artikel/formel-1 ... 54469.html
http://www.bbc.com/sport/formula1/39290908

[Shakeman]

I don't think McLaren are in a position to just go back to Merc as Merc are supplying all the teams they want to. They might not have the capacity to support another team with engines a tech support.

I believe Ron was right to look elsewhere for a Mercedes competitor but in his wildest dreams would've never have envisaged Honda being such a spectacular disaster.

[Thunder]

I don't think McLaren are in a position to just go back to Merc as Merc are supplying all the teams they want to. They might not have the capacity to support another team with engines a tech support.

They would have supplied Manor with PU's this Year, so that shouldn't be a Problem.

[TommyF1]

As much as I would like to see the "Honda era" over, I do not think this is going to happen. IMHO such a switch at this point is not possible - economically:

• Cost of the engines they would have to pay: 12-15M per season
• Money from Honda: (rumor) ~100M per season
• No title sponsor
• I cannot imagine McLaren finishing 5th or higher in the WCC --> less money than in 2017
• Possible loss of other sponsors due to lower position in the WCC

[i70q7m7ghw]

As much as I would like to see the "Honda era" over, I do not think this is going to happen. IMHO such a switch at this point is not possible - economically:

• Cost of the engines they would have to pay: 12-15M per season
• Money from Honda: (rumor) ~100M per season
• No title sponsor
• I cannot imagine McLaren finishing 5th or higher in the WCC --> less money than in 2017
• Possible loss of other sponsors due to lower position in the WCC

3/5 of those are a result of the poor performance of the Honda engine. The view might be the cost of customer engines is offset by the improved performance which brings a new title sponsor and more prize money through an improved WCC position.

[i70q7m7ghw]

I don't think McLaren are in a position to just go back to Merc as Merc are supplying all the teams they want to. They might not have the capacity to support another team with engines a tech support.

I believe Ron was right to look elsewhere for a Mercedes competitor but in his wildest dreams would've never have envisaged Honda being such a spectacular disaster.

The new management team is currently working it's way through the company picking out the pieces Ron Dennis put in to place, Honda is one of those pieces. It's now not a question of if McLaren will split from Honda, it's a question of when.

[Thunder]

motorsport.com runs the story too....
https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/mcla ... ly-883240/

I really want that McLaren Honda Partnership to become competitive but after Pre Season Testing a juicy Merc Engine doesn't sound too bad.....

[Reckoner]

Looks like I predicted it.....

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.ph ... on-engines

Deal pretty much done behind the scenes from what my sources say....

Reckoner

[Alexitation]

Sorry for posting in the wrong thread earlier.
I've seen some articles reporting that Honda was unsure they would finish the race in Melbourne.
My guess is that if the engine's reliability cannot be sorted for Spain and the performance is as bad as it is rumored to be right now McLaren will seriously consider changing for a Mercedes engine.
I don't see McLaren accepting to finish last in the championship. IF, and that's a big if, the situation is really that bad they will want to avoid that at all costs.
Anyway, it's starting to looks like even McLaren doesn't believe in McHonda anymore.

[Santozini]

Autosport states:

"One avenue is the customer Mercedes engine supply that had originally been earmarked for the Manor team, and perhaps could be ready as early as later this season if Honda shows no signs of improving"

Is this even possible to do?

[Joseki]

The same sources that said Honda was underpowered and unrealiable before testing are saying that McLaren really had a casual talk with Mercedes about a deal for next year and with Ferrari (!) too. Honda is thinking about retirement at the end of 2017.