McLaren: Honda or Porsche to Replace Mercedes?

From 1988 to 1992, McLaren and Honda literally dominated the world of Formula One, with the impressive achievement of 4 driver/constructor championship doubles. In 80 Grand Prix partnerships, the British team and the Japanese engine manufacturer collected 44 victories, 53 pole positions, 30 fastest laps, and a total of 91 podiums, making it proportionally the most prolific association in the history of the team founded by Bruce McLaren.

After Honda’s withdrawal at the end of 1992, the only season that was not successful for the Anglo-Japanese alliance, and two seasons with the Ford-Cosworth engine and the Peugeot block, the Woking team found in Mercedes a new technical partner that would once again allow them to taste glory. Having acquired up to 40% of the British team’s capital, the German manufacturer decided in 2009 to return as a full-fledged team, buying Brawn Grand Prix before selling its shares in McLaren.

However, having benefited until now from a free supply of German V8s, McLaren will once again have to dig into their pockets starting next season, and according to The Sun, the men from Woking might be tempted to find a new engine partner: « There is no way McLaren will continue with customer Mercedes engines, » indicates a source to the British newspaper.

However, a few days ago, Yoshiharu Yamamoto, General Manager of Honda’s Research and Development department, did not rule out a possible return of the Japanese manufacturer to the premier category and McLaren would be a partner of choice. In fact, in November 2011, the German magazine Auto Motor und Sport already mentioned the possibility of a reunion between the British team and the Japanese engine manufacturer.

The same magazine also recently mentioned a potential interest from Porsche—which is now under the Volkswagen umbrella—in Formula One, suggesting that the German manufacturer’s return to endurance racing could be a warm-up round before entering Formula 1. This claim is supported by the fact that the Stuttgart-based manufacturer has recruited engineers with experience in the discipline: Fritz Enzinger, who was in charge of testing for BMW F1 and race organization; Alex Hitzinger, an engine expert who worked for Red Bull and Toro Rosso; as well as Mike Krack and Urs Kuratle, former race engineers for the BMW Sauber team.

From 1983 to 1987, Porsche supplied its turbo engines to McLaren through the TAG company, a fruitful collaboration that resulted in two constructors’ championships and three drivers’ titles. Given that the German manufacturer will use the McLaren simulator, it doesn’t take much to consider the possibility of a return of the partnership between the two constructors. However, a Porsche spokesperson denied any intention of returning to Formula 1: « There are no plans for Porsche to enter Formula 1. The World Endurance Championship is what captures our attention, not Formula 1. »

Despite Porsche’s denial, the Kolner Express estimates that the Stuttgart firm could make its return to Formula 1 in 2016, without specifying whether it would be as an engine supplier or a full constructor. The latter option would not displease Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo: « I have the utmost respect for Porsche, which I consider our main rival for many of our (road) cars. Competition is always welcome, especially when you are sure to win. »

So, Mercedes, Honda, or Porsche? One thing is certain, if McLaren has to shell out 8 million euros for the supply of the Mercedes engine starting next season, it still has a contract with the German manufacturer until 2015, allowing it to calmly weigh the different options available to it.