McLaren's quandary with engine partner Honda and with Fernando Alonso is quickly coming to a head, after the Spaniard allegedly issued a final ultimatum to his team.
The Belgian Grand Prix was another weekend to write off for Alonso, who retired his car on Sunday with a self-proclaimed engine problem.
Honda subsequently found no issues with the Spaniard's power unit, fueling speculation that he had retired a healthy car out of frustration.
According to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport, things are heating up a Woking with McLaren facing a complex conundrum involving both Honda and Alonso.
Auto Motor und Sport explained that if McLaren dumps Honda, this would entail a simple breach of contract, albeit one with very little consequences.
However, if McLaren pressures Honda into quitting the deal, this would potentially involve millions in compensation for the British team.
"In what world do they live?" Red Bull's Dr Helmut Marko wondered. "If you get rid of someone, you don't also get money."
McLaren and Honda appear therfore to be staring at each other in a situation of stalemate, while Alonso has made clear what he thinks should happen, particularly as his best alternative for 2018 appears to be a move to Williams-Mercedes.
"With a Mercedes engine, we would be two seconds faster than Williams," says McLaren's Eric Boullier.
Alonso said of the McLaren situation: "There has to be a change.
"I think there are answers out there but we have to find them -- and they won't come from looking at the sky," he told Spain's El Mundo Deportivo.
"We have to sit down and work and hope to find the best solution for next year."
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