McLaren nearing a 'fork in the road' with Honda

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McLaren boss Zak Brown says the team has entered a crucial decision window with Honda, the end of which will make or break the relationship between the two partners.

In an interview with Reuters, Brown confirmed that an engine upgrade anticipated for this weekend's Canadian Grand Prix has been delayed, taking down the Woking-based outfit's hopes of a step forward in performance.

"Missing upgrades, and upgrades not delivering to the level we were told they were going to, you can only take that so long. And we're near our limit.

"We were eagerly awaiting this upgrade as were our drivers and it’s a big disappointment that it’s not coming. It’s not lack of effort, but they are struggling to get it to come together.

"The executive committee have now given us our marching orders. We’re not going to go into another year like this, in hope.

"I don’t want to get into what our options are. Our preference is to win the world championship with Honda. But at some point you need to make a decision as to whether that’s achievable. And we have serious concerns.

Boullier won't rule out a McLaren-Honda divorce!

The McLaren-Honda partnership, now in its third year, has fallen dramatically short of expectations. While Brown has often insisted on McLaren's commitment to its engine partner, the American executive says the team has now entered a pivotal 90-day period in which crucial decisions will be made.

"It will all come together," said Brown.

"There's lots of things that go into the decision and we're entering that window now of 'which way do you go when you come to the fork in the road'."

The McLaren boss revealed that the outfit can afford to give up the financial package that comes with the Honda deal - estimated to be worth around $100 million including supply of free engines - as its lack of competitiveness has considerably reduced its income from other sources.

"When you actually look at the impact of loss of FOM money and loss of sponsorship, it starts to diminish the commercial benefits of what Honda brings to the table," he said.

"And when you start to net it out, it doesn’t have quite the commercial benefit it might appear from the outside."

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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.