Mercedes refuse to deny they are set to offer assistance to Honda
Saturday 13 May 2017 08:33, UK
McLaren have to "deliver the impossible" over the next five months to persuade Fernando Alonso to stay, the team have admitted.
Alonso's contract with McLaren expires at the end of the year and the two-time world champion warned the team on Thursday he will decide to leave unless he is convinced the faltering McLaren-Honda partnership can be winners in 2018.
No sooner had those words been digested than the team hit an embarrassing new low in Friday practice for the Spanish GP, Alonso's home race, when his car broke down on its installation lap. After sitting out the rest of Practice One and escaping to the tennis court, Alonso was then slowest of all in Practice Two.
Alonso suffers new low in Spanish GP Practice
Boullier has been charged with leading McLaren's attempt to persuade Alonso to stay, but admitted to Sky Sports News HQ: "It could be foolish if I say it's possible…But I still believe it is [possible]. We have to obviously look at the team interest, but part of the team's interest would be to retain Fernando. I understand very much, and it's been clear from day one, if we are not competitive then he will go away.
"But he also said he likes the team, he likes the car and he would love to stay in this team. So it's up to us to deliver the impossible in the next five months and then he will be convinced to stay."
Sky F1's Martin Brundle on McLaren's latest 'horror show'
It is the tallest of tall orders: McLaren are still yet to score a point this season or register a podium finish since reuniting with Honda three seasons ago.
McLaren gave up an engine supply from Mercedes to renew vows with Honda, whom they partnered during the team's era of F1 dominance 25 years ago, from the start of the 2015 campaign.
But with McLaren-Honda's ongoing slump so grievous and damaging not only to both companies but also Formula 1 itself, it appears world champions Mercedes are ready to offer Honda a helping hand to lift them off rock bottom.
Asked whether Mercedes were poised to provide assistance for Honda, Silver Arrows chief Toto Wolff pointedly refused to deny the speculation.
"At this stage, l wouldn't like to comment," said Wolff.
Asked again, Wolff reiterated: "We are not doing anything with Honda. That is the current situation...We will see what happens."
Mercedes are one of only four engine providers in the sport and it is not inconceivable that the number will be reduced to three unless Honda swiftly find a cure to end their public embarrassment.
"No, I don't think they are in such a mindset," Boullier responded to the suggestion Honda, who walked out of the sport in 2008, could quit F1 again. "Nevertheless, we are not Honda. They have to think for themselves what they want to do and, first, how they can sort this out."
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