McLaren have confirmed a multi-year technology partnership with Honda, reviving one of the most famous technical associations in Formula One history.

From the start of 2015, McLaren's cars will be powered by Honda engines and energy recovery systems, renewing a relationship between the two companies that won four drivers’ championships, four constructors’ championships and 44 Grands Prix between 1988 and 1992.

Honda has not competed in Formula One racing since the end of 2008, but the switch to a new 1.6-litre turbocharged engine formula in 2014 has encouraged the Japanese firm to return to the sport.

“Ever since its establishment, Honda has been a company which grows by taking on challenges in racing,” commented Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor Company.

“Honda has a long history of advancing our technologies and nurturing our people by participating in the world’s most prestigious automobile racing series.

“The new F1 regulations with their significant environmental focus will inspire even greater development of our own advanced technologies and this is central to our participation in F1.”

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren’s team principal and Group CEO, hailed the significance of the deal.

“It’s fantastic news for everyone who loves Formula One to be able to welcome Honda back. Together, we’re about to embark on a new and extremely exciting chapter in McLaren’s history. Like McLaren, Honda is a company with motor racing woven into the fabric of its heritage.”

“We’re proud and thrilled to be joining forces once more to take on the world in Formula One. Whilst both companies are fully aware that we’re embarking on a very demanding journey together, we’re hugely committed to the success of the partnership, and we'll spend the next 18 months working together to ensure that we’re fully established and competitive ahead of our first Grand Prix together in 2015.”

Honda will develop its engines at its research and development facility in Tochigi, Japan, where it has already begun development of its all-new 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 Formula One engine.

“Honda has built a reputation as a worldwide engineering giant, but its roots, its specialism and its passion lie in the advancement of the internal combustion engine,” said Whitmarsh.

“Throughout its history, Honda has pioneered engine technology in road cars, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. Indeed, its experience as a manufacturer of turbocharged engines is unequalled by any other car manufacturer currently competing in Formula One.”

McLaren’s current drivers, Jenson Button and Sergio Perez, both expressed their excitement about the new partnership.

“I first raced a Formula One car powered by a Honda engine in 2003, and I was a works Honda Formula One driver between 2006 and ’08, winning my first Grand Prix in Hungary in 2006 in a Honda Formula One car, so I know exactly how passionate Honda is about motorsport, and Formula One in particular,” said Button.

Perez was equally effusive: “I was born in 1990 - the year Ayrton Senna won the second of his three world championships driving for McLaren-Honda - and I’ve grown up always knowing just how much that era lives on in the hearts and minds of motorsport fans around the world.

“Of course, Ayrton is my hero, as he’s a hero to many millions of people living in Central America and South America. So today’s announcement not only rekindles all the fantastic memories of that successful era, but it also starts a new age - which can be even more exciting.”

Honda’s agreement to supply McLaren with engines from 2015 onwards will bring to an end the Woking-based team’s long association with their current engine provider, Mercedes. Whitmarsh paid tribute to the German manufacturer, with whom the team has had a relationship since 1995.

“It’s appropriate to recognise that until the end of 2014 we’ll maintain a full commitment to our existing and long-standing partner, Mercedes-Benz, for which we retain the utmost respect and with whom we intend to continue to work diligently and professionally.

“McLaren-Mercedes has so far won an incredible 78 Grands Prix and four world championships. We aim to cap our long-standing partnership with the same ambition and resolve with which we began it: namely, to keep winning.”

For tickets and travel to 2013 FORMULA 1 races, click here.
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McLaren is hoping that Jenson Button will ride out its current malaise and be an integral part of the line-up once its returns to Honda power in 2015.

Both the Briton and team-mate Sergio Perez were effusive in their praise for Honda when McLaren formally confirmed its reunion with the Japanese marque on Thursday [16 May], but neither driver is contracted far enough into the future to be a guaranteed part of the new-look programme when it kicks off in 2015.

Despite Perez being seen as a key component of McLaren's future thanks to his sponsorship links – especially at a time when the Woking team is facing the loss of title backer Vodafone – it is veteran Button who is seen as the bedrock on which the Honda partnership can be built.

The 2009 world champion is a former Honda driver, having spent a large part of his career racing for Honda-powered teams in both BAR and the factory squad that replaced it, and is revered in Japan, thanks in part to both his F1 history and the fact that girl friend Jessica hails from the part of the world.

With his current deal set to expire at the end of 2014, however, there will be much negotiating to be done before Button can be sure of wearing the iconic 'H' logo on his overalls, but McLaren MD Jonathan Neale is optimistic that the Briton – who has suggested that he will see out his career at Woking – will be a part of the squad long-term.

"Jenson will drive here for as long as he wants to drive here," he said of the 33-year old, "He's a great guy and he's doing a really good job for us in some difficult times. He fits our value and our culture here really well."

Button is currently tenth in the F1 world championship standings, with his team-mate just a place further back, after McLaren's MP4-28 proved to be a disappointing successor to last year's race-winning car.

By Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

McLaren say their newly announced

engine partnership with Honda

will not affect their ability to win the world title with Mercedes next year.

Honda will supply engines to McLaren from 2015, meaning the first year of

new engine rules

will be McLaren's last of a 20-year link-up with Mercedes.

"Mercedes will give us the information we need," McLaren managing director Jonathan Neale said.

"Mercedes engineers and ourselves have been working very closely together."

Mercedes have made it clear that their own works team will have advantages over their customers because they will have fed into the design of the engine and guided it in a direction they feel is most suitable for their car.

But Neale insisted McLaren and Mercedes would still be a major force in 2014.

"We need each other to be successful. We are great partners and have won many races together, we recognise our inter-dependence and while we're hugely competitive on the circuit, there is a hugely high regard behind the scenes between the two organisations."

Neale said Mercedes should have no concerns that information about their technology would be passed to Honda.

"I have to stress here, our relationship with Mercedes-Benz is very good and spans two decades," he said. "We are very careful about protecting our partners' interests and property.

F1's new 2014 engine

Engine:

1.6-litre, V6s, with single turbo. Engines can rev to 15,000rpm, five power units per season per driver (each engine does 4,000km). 15% fewer moving parts

Turbo:

Size unlimited, maximum revs 125,000rpm

Energy recovery (Ers) system:

161bhp for 33.3 seconds a lap

Fuel limit:

No more than 100kg (about 140 litres) of fuel in a race; max fuel-flow rate of 100kg per hour. This is a 30% increase in fuel efficiency

Thermal efficiency:

40% (target)

"We have given undertakings to Mercedes and they are being respectful about giving us all the information we need but not giving us more information than we need to get the job done and that's understandable. There will be no poaching or dismantling of parts."

McLaren have no drivers under contract for 2015, but Neale made it clear that Jenson Button would be one of the team's drivers at the start of the Honda relationship if he wanted to stay.

"Jenson will drive here as long as he wants to drive here," Neale said. "He is a great guy and he's doing a really good job in some difficult times for us at the moment.

"He fits our value and our culture here really well. His comment to the workforce this morning was more a question of hoping he is still here in 2015. He's excited by the prospects as well."

McLaren have confirmed a multi-year technology partnership with Honda, reviving one of the most famous technical associations in Formula One history.

From the start of 2015, McLaren's cars will be powered by Honda engines and energy recovery systems, renewing a relationship between the two companies that won four drivers’ championships, four constructors’ championships and 44 Grands Prix between 1988 and 1992.

Honda has not competed in Formula One racing since the end of 2008, but the switch to a new 1.6-litre turbocharged engine formula in 2014 has encouraged the Japanese firm to return to the sport.

“Ever since its establishment, Honda has been a company which grows by taking on challenges in racing,” commented Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor Company.

“Honda has a long history of advancing our technologies and nurturing our people by participating in the world’s most prestigious automobile racing series.

“The new F1 regulations with their significant environmental focus will inspire even greater development of our own advanced technologies and this is central to our participation in F1.”

Martin Whitmarsh, McLaren’s team principal and Group CEO, hailed the significance of the deal.

“It’s fantastic news for everyone who loves Formula One to be able to welcome Honda back. Together, we’re about to embark on a new and extremely exciting chapter in McLaren’s history. Like McLaren, Honda is a company with motor racing woven into the fabric of its heritage.”

“We’re proud and thrilled to be joining forces once more to take on the world in Formula One. Whilst both companies are fully aware that we’re embarking on a very demanding journey together, we’re hugely committed to the success of the partnership, and we'll spend the next 18 months working together to ensure that we’re fully established and competitive ahead of our first Grand Prix together in 2015.”

Honda will develop its engines at its research and development facility in Tochigi, Japan, where it has already begun development of its all-new 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 Formula One engine.

“Honda has built a reputation as a worldwide engineering giant, but its roots, its specialism and its passion lie in the advancement of the internal combustion engine,” said Whitmarsh.

“Throughout its history, Honda has pioneered engine technology in road cars, motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. Indeed, its experience as a manufacturer of turbocharged engines is unequalled by any other car manufacturer currently competing in Formula One.”

McLaren’s current drivers, Jenson Button and Sergio Perez, both expressed their excitement about the new partnership.

“I first raced a Formula One car powered by a Honda engine in 2003, and I was a works Honda Formula One driver between 2006 and ’08, winning my first Grand Prix in Hungary in 2006 in a Honda Formula One car, so I know exactly how passionate Honda is about motorsport, and Formula One in particular,” said Button.

Perez was equally effusive: “I was born in 1990 - the year Ayrton Senna won the second of his three world championships driving for McLaren-Honda - and I’ve grown up always knowing just how much that era lives on in the hearts and minds of motorsport fans around the world.

“Of course, Ayrton is my hero, as he’s a hero to many millions of people living in Central America and South America. So today’s announcement not only rekindles all the fantastic memories of that successful era, but it also starts a new age - which can be even more exciting.”

Honda’s agreement to supply McLaren with engines from 2015 onwards will bring to an end the Woking-based team’s long association with their current engine provider, Mercedes. Whitmarsh paid tribute to the German manufacturer, with whom the team has had a relationship since 1995.

“It’s appropriate to recognise that until the end of 2014 we’ll maintain a full commitment to our existing and long-standing partner, Mercedes-Benz, for which we retain the utmost respect and with whom we intend to continue to work diligently and professionally.

“McLaren-Mercedes has so far won an incredible 78 Grands Prix and four world championships. We aim to cap our long-standing partnership with the same ambition and resolve with which we began it: namely, to keep winning.”

For tickets and travel to 2013 FORMULA 1 races, click here.
For FORMULA 1 and F1 team merchandise, click here.

Jenson Button has said that he is 'thrilled' by the news that he could be racing a car with Honda power from the 2015 F1 season.

Although his 2009 world championship came in a car designed by the Honda F1 team, it was powered by a Mercedes engine following the Japanese marque's decision to abruptly abandon its grand prix programme at the end of 2008. Prior to that, however, Button enjoyed several notable landmarks with the brand, which has confirmed that it will be McLaren's new engine partner from 2015.

“I first raced an F1 car powered by a Honda engine in 2003, and I was a works Honda F1 driver between 2006 and '08, winning my first grand prix in Hungary in 2006 in a Honda F1 car, so I know exactly how passionate Honda is about motorsport - and F1 in particular,” the Briton noted.

“Equally, I grew up watching McLaren-Honda F1 cars racing - and winning - around the world. They wrote their own glorious chapter of F1 history and, even now, picturing those unmistakable red-and-white cars evokes vivid memories of some of the most dramatic and exciting motor racing the world has ever seen.”

Although he is struggling to get the current McLaren among the point-scorers, and knows that he has one more year of driving Mercedes-powered cars before the Honda deal takes effect, Button is excited by the prospect of the Japanese giant bringing its experience and innovation to bear.

“McLaren-Honda: I know how much passion, success and pride are encapsulated within just those two words,” he claimed, “And that's why I'm so thrilled and excited about what's not only a fantastic opportunity for the team, but also a great development for F1 fans and the sport as a whole.

“The challenge set by F1's new technical regulations provides Honda with the perfect opportunity to return to the pinnacle of motorsport. Honda is one of the most experienced and accomplished builders of turbocharged engines anywhere in the world. It has always treated F1 as a platform for world-beating technical innovation, and will surely relish the opportunity once again to showcase on a global sporting stage its engine technicians' unparalleled engineering prowess.”

Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone says he is "100%" relaxed despite reports in Germany that he faces charges relating to a bribery case.

Former banker Gerhard Gribkowsky

was jailed in 2012

for taking £28m in what he said were bribes from Ecclestone.

The 82-year-old Ecclestone has long denied any wrongdoing, saying he was a victim of coercion by Gribkowsky.

Asked whether he was relaxed about the situation, Ecclestone said: "Absolutely. 100%."

Continue reading the main story

“I haven't done anything about any of these things. If I have to get bothered, then I'll get bothered”

Bernie Ecclestone
Formula 1 boss

He added: "Sooner or later somebody will look into it, which they have, and then they will have to make a decision on what they decide."

Germany's

Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper 

reported on Wednesday that Ecclestone had been charged with two financial offences by the prosecutor's office in Munich following a two-year investigation into his involvement with Gribkowsky.

In 2006, Gribkowsky, 54, was in charge of managing the sale of regional bank BayernLB's 48% stake in Formula 1 to private equity firm CVC Capital Partners, which owns most of the sport.

In evidence to a Munich court in June last year, Gribkowsky admitted that prosecution claims he had corruptly received $41.4m (£26.6m) in bank commissions, and a large payment via a family trust from Ecclestone, were "essentially true".

In his testimony, Ecclestone had said that he had been worried that if he had not paid the money, Gribkowsky would have alerted the UK tax authorities to "things" that might have led to a tax inquiry.

"The only alternative was that the British tax authorities followed a case that would have been very expensive for me," said Ecclestone at the time.

"The tax risk would have exceeded £2bn. I paid him to keep calm and not to do silly things."

According to the newspaper, the charge sheet, which is still to be translated into English, will be submitted next month.

"They haven't told me [about the charges], that's the only problem," added Ecclestone.

"I suppose they will eventually - they're going to have to, obviously.

"To be quite honest with you I haven't done anything about any of these things. If I have to get bothered, then I'll get bothered."

Formula One racing’s official tyre suppliers Pirelli have announced that they will be providing tyres with a revised construction from the Canadian Grand Prix onwards.

The Italian company said after last weekend’s race in Spain - in which several drivers made four tyre stops - that they would make changes ahead of the British Grand Prix, but they have now decided to introduce revised rubber a race earlier, in Montreal, to bring the number of stops into line with their stated aim of two to three stops per car, per race.

According to Pirelli’s motorsport director Paul Hembery, the new tyre range will combine elements from the 2012 and 2013 tyres to achieve both durability and performance.

“Our aim is to provide the teams with a new range which mixes the stability of the 2012 tyres and the performance of the current ones,” he said.

“As a company, we have always moved quickly to make improvements where we see them to be necessary. After evaluating data from the first few races this year, we’ve decided to introduce a further evolution as it became clear at the Spanish Grand Prix that the number of pit stops was too high.

“The Spanish Grand Prix was won with four pit stops, which has only happened once before in our history. These changes will also mean that the tyres are not worked quite as hard, reducing the number of pit stops.”

“With limited testing time, it’s clear now that our original 2013 tyre range was probably too performance-orientated for the current regulations. However, having identified this issue, we’re determined to rapidly resolve it.

“It’s worth underlining that the current regulations for winter tests limit the opportunity to test the tyres under the same conditions as the race season because of the lower temperature and restricted time.

“The Teams are of the same opinion as we are in wanting longer testing times and different locations for the next tests. We developed the 2013 tyres on the basis of careful simulations that were, however, not sufficient, taking into account the improved speed of cars (up to 3 seconds per lap).”

Hembery also confirmed that the changes would stop the recent spate of tyre delaminations caused by track debris: “It’s important to point out that these delaminations, which occur when the tread comes off, do not compromise the safety of the tyres as the core structure of the tyre is not affected in any way, helping drivers to complete the lap and to change the damaged tyres safely,” he explained.

“These delaminations were due to damage from debris that overheated the tread. We’d like to thank all the teams for their continued and extremely valued support as we worked with them to identify the correct compromise between the pure speed that makes us the world leader in the Ultra High Performance sector and a global spectacle that is easy for Formula One fans to follow.”

For tickets and travel to 2013 FORMULA 1 races, click here.
For FORMULA 1 and F1 team merchandise, click here.

Renault Sport has signed up to be the technical partner for the new Formula E series, which is set to launch next season with a series of events on a range of new street circuits.

Renault will work alongside Spark Racing Technology to build and supply the cars that will be used in the series for electric cars – with the 42 machines being produced for the inaugural season set to be known as 'Spark-Renaults'.

The deal, which has been mooted for some time, was announced at the same time as new images of the Formula E car were made public, while Tag Heuer has also been announced as official timing partner for the new series.

“Renault and Formula E both share the same commitment to innovative technology and sustainable motoring and we're delighted to welcome them to the Championship as a Founding Partner,” Alejandro Agag, CEO of Championship promoter Formula E Holdings, said.

“Not only is Renault one of the world's leading car manufacturers, with a very successful motorsport pedigree, it is also a pioneer for electric vehicles being the first full-range car manufacturer to market zero-emission vehicles. To have a manufacturer of this calibre on-board is a great testament to the growing appeal of the FIA Formula E Championship.”

Patrice Ratti, Managing Director of Renault Sport Technologies, said the company was in the perfect position to get involved in the new series.

“Renault's expertise in electric powertrain design and integration acquired both in production E.V. and in Formula 1 makes Renault Sport a natural partner for Spark in this exciting Formula E project,” he said. “Engineers from Renault Sport F1 and Renault Sport Technologies will collaborate with Spark Racing Technology team to optimise the electric and electronic layout and performance of the powertrain.

“Our experience will be particularly valuable to ensure the safety and reliability of the car.”

By Andrew Benson
Chief F1 writer

Pirelli is to change the tyres it supplies to Formula 1 from the Canadian Grand Prix next month.

The move comes after complaints that their fragile nature has made tyre-management too important.

Pirelli hope the changes mean drivers do not have to stop more than three times in races.

Red Bull have been

vociferous in their complaints

that the need to look after tyres is preventing them using the full potential of their car.

• Guide to the tyres in Formula 1

Ferrari's Fernando Alonso made four stops on his way to victory in Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix, which featured 79 pit stops in total for the 22 drivers.

Pirelli said the changes were "made in the interests of the sport" and not to favour some teams over others.

Pirelli motorsport director Paul Hembery said: "We hope that (helping Red Bull) won't be the case, but we always face that risk.

"People will say it is pressure from Red Bull but there has not been excessive pressure from them."

On Sunday, Red Bull boss Dietrich Mateschitz was heavily critical of the current state of F1, saying it "had nothing to do with racing anymore". The Austrian met F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone, although he did not reveal what they had discussed.

Ecclestone said in Spain: "The tyres are wrong, not what we intended when we asked Pirelli to produce something which did half a race."

Hembery also denied that pressure from Ecclestone had informed the company's decision, saying: "He was only sharing the comments of the majority, that we had gone a step too far and we needed to come back a bit.

"So I wouldn't say it was pressure from him, it was really from the fans from a sporting point of view.

"From what we saw on Sunday, we felt, no, this was going in the wrong direction."

Hembery told Autosport they never intended there to be four-stop races.

Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.

F1 tyres, DRS and Kers explained

"We want to go back to having two or three-stop races," he added.

He said the problems had been caused by the performance increase of the leading cars, which are a second a lap faster than they were in 2012.

"They have basically been stressing everything too much, and probably we underestimated the performance," Hembery said.

Hembery said the changes to the construction of the tyres could affect the choice of the compounds Pirelli takes to Canada.

Last month, the company announced the two softest tyres would be used on the non-abrasive semi-street circuit in Montreal.

But Hembery said Pirelli would advise the teams this week of any revised plans.

Formula One racing’s official tyre suppliers Pirelli have announced that they will be providing tyres with a revised construction from the Canadian Grand Prix onwards.

The Italian company said after last weekend’s race in Spain - in which several drivers made four tyre stops - that they would make changes ahead of the British Grand Prix, but they have now decided to introduce revised rubber a race earlier, in Montreal, to bring the number of stops into line with their stated aim of two to three stops per car, per race.

According to Pirelli’s motorsport director Paul Hembery, the new tyre range will combine elements from the 2012 and 2013 tyres to achieve both durability and performance.

“Our aim is to provide the teams with a new range which mixes the stability of the 2012 tyres and the performance of the current ones,” he said.

“As a company, we have always moved quickly to make improvements where we see them to be necessary. After evaluating data from the first few races this year, we’ve decided to introduce a further evolution as it became clear at the Spanish Grand Prix that the number of pit stops was too high.

“The Spanish Grand Prix was won with four pit stops, which has only happened once before in our history. These changes will also mean that the tyres are not worked quite as hard, reducing the number of pit stops.”

“With limited testing time, it’s clear now that our original 2013 tyre range was probably too performance-orientated for the current regulations. However, having identified this issue, we’re determined to rapidly resolve it.

“It’s worth underlining that the current regulations for winter tests limit the opportunity to test the tyres under the same conditions as the race season because of the lower temperature and restricted time.

“The Teams are of the same opinion as we are in wanting longer testing times and different locations for the next tests. We developed the 2013 tyres on the basis of careful simulations that were, however, not sufficient, taking into account the improved speed of cars (up to 3 seconds per lap).”

Hembery also confirmed that the changes would stop the recent spate of tyre delaminations caused by track debris: “It’s important to point out that these delaminations, which occur when the tread comes off, do not compromise the safety of the tyres as the core structure of the tyre is not affected in any way, helping drivers to complete the lap and to change the damaged tyres safely,” he explained.

“These delaminations were due to damage from debris that overheated the tread. We’d like to thank all the teams for their continued and extremely valued support as we worked with them to identify the correct compromise between the pure speed that makes us the world leader in the Ultra High Performance sector and a global spectacle that is easy for Formula One fans to follow.”

For tickets and travel to 2013 FORMULA 1 races, click here.
For FORMULA 1 and F1 team merchandise, click here.