No Toro Rosso-Honda Partnership on the Horizon as Talks Fail

Formula One engine supplier Honda is keen to take on a second customer along with McLaren so that there is more scope for improvement. However, initial talks with Sauber had fallen flat and all their hopes were pinned on a potential deal with Toro Rosso. There had been lengthy discussions between the two parties but the only obstacle that they were unable to navigate was a financial one.

As a result of the breakdown of talks, Scuderia Toro Rosso will continue to use Renault engines for the 2018 season. Representatives from Honda and Toro Rosso were unable to be reached for comment on the issue. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, McLaren are also evaluating their options although an engine deal with Ferrari and Mercedes is out of question. With Mclaren’s withering faith in Honda being made clear, the only other option is Renault. While Mclaren-Renault does not quite have a good ring to it, it would not be impossible. But Renault may not be willing to humour McLaren either because having 4 customer teams could lead to reliability issues. Given the circumstances, the Woking squad and the Japanese giant will have to weather the storm together. Whether they will achieve the success that the Senna-Prost era brought, only time will tell.