McLaren offered Honda two alternatives prior to split

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McLaren apparently offered engine partner Honda two alternatives early on in the season when it realized where it stood with the Japanese manufacturer.

McLaren's doubts about Honda's 2017 power unit started as far back as pre-season testing in Barcelona in early March.

To try and avoid an engine debacle, the Woking-based outfit took a pro-active stance and came up with several solutions destined to help itself and its partner.

"At the first tests of 2017, we realised serious problems were waiting for us," Boullier revealed in an interview with French weekly Auto Hebdo.

"We began to get nervous and started looking for solutions that could improve the situation.

McLaren image hit by Honda 'proper disaster' - Boullier

"As a last resort, we were ready to offer that Honda skips the season while it improves and McLaren would use some other engines for that period."

Boullier did not provide details however about which power unit it would have used if Honda had accepted to take a sabbatical year from F1.

Another alternative was suggested however, and included bringing in outside help to support Honda's efforts.

"Honda engineers and their colleagues from Mercedes could do a technical cooperation," he revealed.

"Or forming our own group of specialists in the engine area made up of different companies to help Honda find more efficient solutions more quickly.

"Unfortunately, none of the proposals were properly explored and as a result we ran out of arguments.

"We had to come to the conclusion that there was no other way out except for the termination of the cooperation," Boullier said.

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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.