Honda is ramping up its efforts to supply a second Formula 1 team for the 2018 season, but any deal needs to finalized by May of next year.
The Japanese manufacturer and McLaren partner won't have to comply with next season's rule which obliges a manufacturer to supply its power unit to any team unable to secure a deal, because all eleven teams have supply deals in place for 2017.
But informal talks have started with an outfit keen on switching to Honda power in 2018, according to a report by Autosport.com.
Honda boss Yusuke Hasegawa insisted however that any deal would have to be signed and sealed by the end of May, around the time of the Monaco Grand Prix.
"That's when Red Bull and Toro Rosso announced they would use the Renault engine this year," Hasegawa said.
"That is the latest timing for us but the earlier we know, the better."
Interest in Honda's power unit package has increased in the past couple of months following the engine's performance progress.
"Now we are discussing the possibility of cooperation and the chance to supply the engine but so far, there is no fixed negotiation," he said.
"There has been informal interest. They are very kind to show some level of interest. Mercedes customers have no strong intention to change their engine to Honda.
"We have to prove we can show a decent step in the performance of the Honda engine. Until then, I don't think they can show us a concrete request."
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