The BBC has yet again proven their insight to the future is precise and accurate when it comes to delivering breaking news about Formula 1. Way back in March of this year, the BBC F1 team revealed that McLaren were in talks with their former engine partners Honda about securing a new deal for a supply of engines.
McLaren have been supplied by Mercedes since 1995 and have won the constructors championship just once. They could have had two if it wasn't for the spy-gate scandal in 2007.
McLaren-Honda will always be remembered for the period of domination the pair held over the sport during 1988 until 1992, a period where they won four constructors titles. 1988 was a particular stand out season where Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost won every race bar one for the Woking team.
With statistics in hand, it's easy to see why they have elected to go back to the Japanese manufacturers, but let's not forget Honda's chequered history in Formula 1. From 1964-1968 they won only two races before electing to pull out of the sport. They would continue to supply engines to teams but they entered a factory team from 2006-2008. Success would prove very minimal again with Jenson Button winning only one race. Then just as easy as a click of the fingers, they pulled the plug on Formula 1 yet again, leaving Button and his team mate Rubens Barrichello without a drive for the following season. Fortunately for them, Ross Brawn put money into the team and would go on to complete a fairy tale story in 2009.
It definitely seems that Honda should stick to making engines and engines alone, but F1 has moved on leaps and bounds from the late 80s/early 90s. There is so much more affecting cars now than engines, look at the mess Pirelli has got the sport in.
The deal is for 2015, which means for the first season of the brand new 1.6 litre turbocharged V6 engines in 2014, McLaren will have to run whatever Mercedes gives them.
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| Renault 2014 Engine. |
What happens though if things don't go as planned, what if McLaren do become the new Williams (an article you must read by my friend over at Let's Talk F1) and become a former shadow of themselves? They are very happy to end any relationship with F1 if things don't go their way. It's a very big risk and as this season has shown, big risks do not pay off for McLaren.
One of the other worries I have is that they want to keep on Jenson Button for this new era. I've had some issues with Jenson's attitude this season but setting them aside for the moment, by the time this deal comes I reckon there will be plenty of thriving talent from other drivers. Paul di Resta, the Toro Rosso boys, even Jules Bianchi in the Marussia looks good. If they are hell bent on making this an entirely new era then I say ditch Jenson. He's a great driver and a phenomenal talent, but there isn't another title fight in him. His luck unfortunately ran out with Lewis Hamilton as his team mate, and Adrian Newey gifting Red Bull with title wins for three years.
Don't get me wrong, he's made his own mistakes but the point I am trying to make is that a fresh perspective in driving should be accompanied by fresh driver line up.
In my eyes, the move is too risky. I've said it many times before but 2014 will be a lottery in terms of who will be on top. I'm going with Renault because they seem to be the only engine manufacturer who have made progress, and with them looking to supply less teams in 2014, the demand will be fierce.
I personally would have shelved the idea of bringing in a new deal with Honda. History looks good but it has also been brief and not looking great in the long term. Stability is what McLaren need, I fear with Honda they may not get it.
"I don't see any reason why I can't do well in Formula 1." - Valtteri Bottas
Today I received the news that I had been waiting for since FP1 at the 2012 Malaysian Grand Prix. For those of you who have not heard, I shall not spoil the news for you:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/20524465
Yes so at long last the ghost that is Sir Frank Williams and the powers within have decided that they finally have milked both the money cows that are Pastor Maldonado and Bruno Senna to the point where they can afford to let the latter go, and in his place appoint a driver with that one trait you think all drivers should have: TALENT.
Quick rewind back to 2010. The 2009 season had finished, we had a British champion in the ever impressive Jenson Button. Brawn transforms into Mercedes, but as an entirely new outfit with new executives and new drivers in Rosberg and God (Schumacher). Jenson (with no surprises) replaces the outgoing Kovalainen at McLaren, leaving the other contributor to Brawn's championship double unemployed. Enter Williams.
Williams hire the ever consistent Barichello and the new exciting rookie, Nico Hulkenberg. We didn't know it at the time, but because it's clearer than a pane of glass now, the Hulk has got it! So they had a promising young talent, and Rubens had finally been able to shake his number 2 status (Mark Webber, Felipe Massa take note). They had a great 2010! The Hulk was on pole for goodness sake! It was a great time and things were looking good.
What went wrong in 2011? For reasons unknown, the team fell away. They collapsed. The Hulk had been dropped for the bank of Venezuela. It was a disaster unknown to this day. But no matter what you think or say, it was the last time (to date we see Rubens in a Formula 1 car). His replacement in 2012? A young boy who did not buy his seat with money (although it was plentiful) but with his name. I'll say no more other than, funding was low, so they increased their cash flow with a boost from Toto Wolff and the bank of Brazil.
The disaster of that is Maldonado essentially ruined the majority of races or more importantly, endangered lives. And Senna? Lets just say it made us think we forged his application. Let's not forget, this isn't the first time Williams had hired a man who was detrimental to the sport. Montoya was no Keke Rosberg or Alain Prost but that's a different story. But after everybody caught a grip, and Sir Frank Williams stranglehold over the team is loosening has resulted in THE best move for the team since hiring the wonderful talent that is Jacques Villeneuve (to name one).
I honestly believe Senna's exit is honestly far far too late. I would've loved to seen a mid season switch (first season in a long time we haven't had one) to give Valtteri Bottas a real showing. But I guess he doesn't need it. After all, he is Finnish. I would love to give him the title of the Flying Finn, but I believe this chap is still learning. He'll love to follow in the steps of Kimi Raikkonen, Keke Rosberg or Mika Hakkinen, and I believe he will. Watch this man, I guarantee you'll be well impressed.
