McLaren executive Zak Brown has ruled out the possibility of McLaren embarking on its own F1 engine program, at least for the mid-term future.
The meager results achieved with power unit partner Honda since the Japanese manufacturer's return to F1 in 2015 have led to suggestions that perhaps McLaren could design and develop its own engine.
The Woking-based outfit has informally touched base with Mercedes, inquiring about a potential supply of German power in the future, a move which at least attests to McLaren's openness to change despite the long-term contract which binds it to Honda.
"McLaren Automotive is a different business unit with some common shareholders who we work very closely with," Brown said.
"Their engine is a McLaren engine but the F1 team has a different set of economic priorities and ways to go racing so that is not a conversation that we've had.
"What we can do in 10 years, who knows – but that is not a conversation [for now]. We are not an engine builder, we are a racing team and a car constructor."
Brown reiterated McLaren's determination to proceed with Honda and work together with the manufacturer to put the legendary team back on the track to success.
"We are very open with Honda," he said.
"We are working with them on what is the best way to be competitive as quickly as possible, and then ultimately to get back to the ultimate goal of winning the world championship together, so there has not been a real strain in the relationship.
"All our conversations with them have been [about] how we get out of this situation that we are in."
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