Honda has no plans to extend its power unit supply to any teams aside from McLaren, according to the Japanese firm’s F1 boss Yasuhisa Arai.
Arai, who will oversee Honda’s return to Formula One as an engine supplier with McLaren in 2015, insists that the Woking-based outfit will have exclusive use of the Japanese manufacturer’s new V6 power unit next season.
“For year 2015, McLaren is our only customer,” explained Arai. “I don’t think about the future, because we want to concentrate on next season.
“Of course we want to have good results next season and see the results from other manufacturers. If teams want to use our engine or power unit, we can deliver after year 2016, but right now there are no plans.”
“Thus the challenge is to convert each unit of gasoline into energy and this is expected to be reflected on the huge production mode. That’s the reason why.”
Arai added that Honda’s new F1 base, situated in Milton Keynes and not far from Red Bull’s factory, is set to open in June of this year.
“We will open June this year. Now it’s still under construction but that factory is to do the engine maintenance for the races and rebuilding the Formula One engine and also to go to the race-track for the track side service.”
Image courtesy of McLaren
Paddock Journal 