Hirotoshi Honda has nothing but sympathy for Fernando Alonso

Hirotoshi Honda, the son of the legendary Soichiro Honda who founded the Japanese manufacturer, understands Fernando Alonso's disappointment in the McLaren-Honda project.

The partnership's three-year unmitigated disaster led to a divorce between the two parties, and one which couldn't have happened too soon as far as Alonso was concerned.

Hirotoshi Honda, who is the founder of Mugen Motorsports, has nothing but sympathy for the two-time world champion.

"Alonso is a young, intelligent and captivating man," Honda told France's L'Equipe.

"I can easily understand the reason for his great disappointment.

• Hasegawa departs F1 in Honda reshuffle

"The professional life of an athlete is very short and it's stressful to lose three years at such an important moment in his career. But it's not my fault, please ask Honda!" said the 75-year-old business magnate.

Honda is moving its engine supply to Toro Rosso for 2018 and has also initiated management changes which will see F1 boss Yusuke Hasegawa shuffled out of the top position.

"My father was a real fighter who hated being second," added Hirotoshi Honda.

"Shortly before his death, when Senna could no longer win, my father complained from his hospital bed.

"I'm sure of one thing," he concluded

"The Japanese have a culture of fighting in Formula 1. We are probably very polite, but we can fight."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter