Honda is still looking at supplying engines to a second Formula 1 team, but it’s partner, McLaren, isn’t so keen on the expansion.
Racing director Eric Boullier believes Honda supplying another team next year would be detrimental to McLaren. Whilst it would mean more running for the Japanese manufacturer, Boullier believes it would deviate resources away from McLaren.
“More teams running is better, definitely, [but] there’s always a price to pay for that, which is obviously deviating our resources to maybe build more engines,” Boullier told ESPN.
McLaren would benefit from Honda getting more track time and data with double the number of cars running the engines. Boullier doesn’t think a second team would have helped the engine manufacturer over the past three years, though.
Honda is the only engine manufacturer in F1 to supply a single team. It’s understood the manufacturer is still in talks to supply Sauber with engines next season.
Sauber offers Honda not only additional running, but also a possible seat for its junior drivers.
A decision over the Sauber supply is expected soon, with the deadline less than two weeks away. Though McLaren may not be happy about a second team, Boullier says the team will support its partner.
“Whatever happens, we are partners, so at some stage there will be a second team and I think we will have to support this,” he said. “But we have to make sure it’s not detrimental to our partnership with Honda.”
