Are McLaren & Honda at war over F1 engine power?

[John S]

Kevin Eason of the Times says yes, Macca want's Arai san fired.     

Shades of RBR/Renault troubles brewing???     

The much-vaunted dream partnership between McLaren and Honda has turned into bitter warfare.

​Sources have told The Times that McLaren executives have appealed to Takahiro Hachigo, the Honda president, to sack Yasuhisa Arai, the man in charge of the complex hybrid engines that have destroyed the season for Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button.

Kevin Eason Motor Racing Correspondent, The Times, Sat 5th Sept.

[Alianora La Canta]

The words "oh dear" come to mind.

[Scott]

If only to save the engine programme for next year, it would probably be a good idea to replace him now.  Whatever excuse they use, Honda should have been better prepared for this season. 

[Steve A.]

The power of dreams is certainly turning into a nightmare.

[Monty]

Shades of RBR/Renault troubles brewing

I can't see how RBR have the cheek to complain about Renault when they look at the problems McLaren are having.
Renault powered cars were blasting past the two McLaren Honda cars even on the shorter straights. It would only need a small chassis or aero improvement for Manor and even they could be beating McLaren. Having watched Button fighting as hard as he could it was clear that the McLaren chassis was OK. He held people back and even re-passed in corners but once they got to the straights all the other cars just drove away from him. It must be so frustrating. I think Honda need to change their culture and get some outside help. Soon!

[Steve A.]

I hope they do something soon, I would hate this to be JB'S last season and to go out with such a bad car. It's not as if he went to a back marker team, Honda have put him there.

[cosworth151]

It's exactly what I suspected. Honda's last throw at F1 engines, the ten years of BAR/Honda and then just Honda, produced one win. Ross Brawn made one major change. He threw out the Honda boat anchor and replaced it with a Mercedes. The car went from worst to first.