Rumor: McLaren F1 To Switch To Honda Power In 2015?

UPDATE: It’s official.

 

It seems history has a way of repeating itself. After nearly 20 seasons with Mercedes-Benz power, McLaren could be switching to Honda engines when the new, turbocharged engine regulations take force in 2015. That is, if reports from a slew of F1-oriented sites are to be believed.

 

Of course, history buffs should be beside themselves with this rumor. It can be argued McLaren’s greatest period of F1 success came with a Honda powerplant in the middle of its Marlboro-liveried cars. From 1988 to 1992, the British team was dominant, winning 15 of its 16 races, thanks to the combination of reliable Honda engines, and its stable of drivers—Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost.

 

Honda and McLaren could make the official announcement as early as Thursday, if EuroSport.com is to be believed. While we’re fans of the sport, Honda’s move makes a fair amount of sense from a production-car standpoint. F1’s move to 1.6-liter, turbocharged V-6s is designed not just to save costs for the teams, but to bring the sport back to its roots as a testbed for production car technology. This is said to be the main motivating factor behind Honda’s return.

As this story develops, we’ll be sure to post any and all new information, so stay tuned.