F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Honda unhappy with 2017 proposed engine supply rules

While Formula 1 awaits the FIA's decision to force, or not, manufacturers to supply their power unit to teams without engine deals, Honda has expressed its concern over the potential ruling.

Teams had until last Sunday to inform the FIA of their supply arrangements for next season, but Honda named McLaren as its sole partner.

If by June 1 a team is left without an engine, the FIA will initiate discussions with all parties and if no solution is found, could force a ballot process and impose a supply by a manufacturer.

Given its ongoing development program which has yet unlock the full potential of its power unit, the Japanese manufacturer is not all that keen on supplying another team as it feels it could potentially divert its focus from its current workload.

"We are not happy about that," said Honda boss Yusuke Hasegawa to Autosport.

"We understand we need to supply multiple teams. We have to contribute to the F1 society - currently only Ferrari and Mercedes are providing to four teams and we are only one.

"We are not controlled by FIA to select a team so as a regulation point of view, I don't think it's a very good thing.  Our performance isn't high enough to have more conversations from other teams.

"So we need to wait to see what happens on June 1."

Should the FIA force a manufacturer into a supply agreement with a team, under certain conditions,  the manufacturer is entitled to decline the demand.

It's not automatic," said Hasegawa. "The FIA recommends to start negotiations with certain teams. We need to fix some conditions, like cost price.

"If we can't agree with that, it's impossible to have that connection. We have to try to make a negotiation."

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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.

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