Is Williams about to become a key player in deciding who powers McLaren next season if the latter divorces from engine partner Honda?

As a split between McLaren and Honda appears more likely by the day following another disastrous race weekend in Canada, the rumor mill is spinning a story involving Williams.

Swiss newpaper Blick and its veteran F1 correspondent Roger Benoit believe that the Grove-based outfit could ditch its supply of Mercedes engines in 2018 to become Honda’s new works team.

The move would than logistically clear the way for McLaren and Honda to split, with the Woking team reviving its former collaboration with Mercedes.

“The final question is whether the Silver Arrows actually want to revert to such a dangerous rival as McLaren,” wrote Benoit.

“For Sauber, the outcome really does not matter, as they will remain Honda’s number 2 team next year,” he added.

• Honda ‘behind when it comes to simulations’

Meanwhile, although attending Le Mans to oversee his own team United Autosports, McLaren executive Zak Brown’s presence at the fabled sports car race at the weekend turned a few heads.

Spanish sports daily Marca, speculated that not only Brown but also McLaren team boss Eric Boullier was there to lay the groundwork for a futire McLaren project perhaps involving Fernando Alonso.

“I’m sure Fernando is going to race at Le Mans one day,” Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen said.

McLaren’s Boullier said at Le Mans: “We are a great technology company, so why not offer our services to Le Mans participants, not necessarily as
a competitor?”

 

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