Shrieker wrote: ↑08 Sep 2017, 22:04
ZakB wrote: ↑08 Sep 2017, 21:56
And waste three more years? The McLaren Honda relationship is done, there is no base to continue. Honda isn't willing to accept help from outside, they could even buy technology from Mercedes, but declined.
I'm not sure if you're aware or not, but McLaren are in such a position that there isn't an engine available in those three years that can carry them to a title. Podiums ? Likely. A few race wins ? Probably. But definitely not the title. Honda or not, the soonest opportunity McLaren can get for a title challenge is 2021. No new manufacturer will be so out of their mind to come in before then; Mercedes is a no go (and so is Ferrari), Renault have their works team and Red Bull are second in line. McLaren are almost certain to get 2nd rate engines if they switch to Renault, and that will never be enough to win the title.
That's all McLaren wants the coming three years. McLaren doesn't expect any titles in the coming years. They just want to perform until 2021, where most of the parts probably get standardized, like the turbo and MGU-K, while the MGU-H will be removed. The whole point of those rules are to make sure that non works teams can also compete at the highest level. Renault is also required to provide McLaren with equal engines.
So this all begs the question as to why the current McLaren management are so desperate to switch to Renault. Is it all to then say "heeey look, we pulled the team from 10th on the grid up to fourth, ain't that great?" at the end of 2018. In Turkish we call it "dostlar alışverişte görsün". It roughly means let's be seen as doing something. And that 6 position of championship will not even make up for losing Honda's financial support and having to pay for Renault engines.
I call it good progress. Zak Brown already said it's not going to be a decision made on economics. McLaren has seen all the empty Honda promises and have a lot more information than you guys here. The only thing the people in here say: 'it will come good' and 'there is no difference between place 10 or 4'. I'm glad McLaren won't be running those --- stains next year and I hope all the Honda fanboys quickly move to the Toro Rosso topic.