MX23RW : Wednesday, November 27 09:54:22| >> :120:6321:6321:

Honda admits 'test bench' problem

Honda gives an explanation about the extent of its struggle so far in 2017.

Honda has given an explanation about the extent of its struggle so far in 2017.

The signs are growing stronger by the day that McLaren have now decided to dump their hapless engine supplier mid-contract.

"The rhetoric has changed," former technical boss Mike Gascoyne told Sky Sports News. "It just sounds like a decision has been made."

Some think that dumping Honda, and switching to customer Mercedes power, could be a desperate effort by the Woking team to hang on to their frustrated top driver Fernando Alonso.

Asked if Honda or Mercedes power would make a difference, Alonso said: "I think it doesn't make any change to my decision."

Nonetheless, it is believed that the final straw for McLaren was the days before Montreal, when Honda informed the team that a planned upgrade would not be delivered on time.

Honda chief Yusuke Hasegawa is quoted as saying by Osterreich: "We have not managed to get the right conditions on the test bench.

"Now we need to understand why there is a difference between the test bench and the track."

The season continues in Baku next weekend.

ID:300410: cacheID:300410:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2118:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Fernando Alonso of McLaren Honda in the paddock during previews ahead of the Formula One Grand Prix of Russia at Sochi Autodrom on April 28, 2016
Read Next:
Alonso not ruling out 2018 Indycar switch
>
rhs 2.0


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!