Honda has set a deadline for any team interested in using their engines in 2018.
The Japanese carmaker has been the exclusive supplier to McLaren since the start of 2015, with its V6 turbo hybrid power unit slowly catching up to the rest of the competition.
It is hoped the power and fuel efficiency deficit Honda, and therefore McLaren, has suffered from since their return will continue to close and be helped by the removal of the token system on engine development from 2017.
Many have often seen the potential supply of engines to a second team as a way for Honda to quicken its pace of development and now it seems they are finally open to the idea.
“Well, we need to pay costs as well [associated with supplying a second team],” F1 chief Yusuke Hasegawa told Autosport.
“But it’s very obvious we can increase the data and the chance of spotting a failure.”
Hasegawa also indicated that any deal would need to be in place “around the time of the Monaco Grand Prix”, which falls in May, for another team to use their units from 2018.
“That is the latest timing for us but the earlier we know, the better,” he added.
All teams have deals in place for next season, however, one team is believed to be considering a switch to Honda power units with early talks already underway.
Sauber will be using year-old Ferrari engines in 2017 and their long-time association with the Italian marque could well be coming to an end.
This is because of Haas’ arrival on the grid and the close relationship the American team has since cultivated with those at Maranello.
Honda also hinted at the interest but said much of it depended on the manufacturer proving the value of switching to their engines.
“Now we are discussing the possibility of cooperation and the chance to supply the engine but so far, there is no fixed negotiation,” Hasegawa revealed.
“There has been informal interest. They are very kind to show some level of interest.
“We have to prove we can show a decent step in the performance of the Honda engine.
“Until then, I don’t think they can show us a concrete request.”
