Force India opposed to Mercedes-Honda collaboration

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Force India has expressed its opposition to any eventual plan of cooperation between Mercedes and Honda, with the aim of helping the Japanese manufacturer overcome the dismal reliability issues of its power unit.

Asked this afternoon in Barcelona if Mercedes was indeed willing to work with Honda, team boss Toto Wolff was mum on the subject, refusing to offer any specifics on the potential relationship.

"We are not doing anything for Honda, that is the current status quo," Wolff said.

"So unless that situation changes, I don't want to contribute to rumours out there that are false and I think are damaging for Honda, and create hard standpoints from teams or other stakeholders.

"We will see what happens."

But Force India deputy team principal Bob Fernley is clearly opposed to the outfit's engine supplier helping a rival manufacturer, offering a sound reason behind his resistance.

"As a team obviously that has not only paid for its engines, but contributed to the development of them, I would certainly be very negative with sharing that technology with another team that is a competitor," said Fernley.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.