Ross Brawn, Formula 1 Managing Director, supported McLaren’s decision to withdraw from its engagement with Honda beyond 2017.
Brawn considered it essential for the team to look inwards for flaws.
Honda re-entered the sport in 2015 with McLaren as both wanted to revive their dominance in Formula 1. But the partnership couldn’t fulfill any expectations and they failed to produce any fulfilling results.
The partnership struggled with pace and reliability problems. Therefore, McLaren parts its way from Japanese manufacturer and engaged with Renault in 2018.
The break-up proved to be a lucky charm for both members. McLaren improved its position in 2019 with fourth position on Constructors’ Championship.
Honda also made stupendous progress with Red Bull and was credited for three victories of the team. Additionally, junior team, Toro Rosso now AlphaTuari, with Honda also managed to find place on podium twice.
Brawn believes that the improved status that both McLaren and Honda are enjoying is believed to be because of their breakup. He reiterated that it was only possible because they looked inward for their faults rather than pointing fingers on each other.
Brawn said: “They’ve got some sensible people there now, and it took them a while to recognise that.
“People say they made a big mistake getting rid of Honda. But, I think funnily enough they almost needed to do that to recognise what they needed to do with the team.
“They were blaming Honda all the time and I think they would recognise now that wasn’t true. That wasn’t everything. And in getting rid of Honda and getting a benchmark, they recognised they had to do something with the team.
“I don’t know how they would have come to that conclusion unless they put an engine in the back of the car that somebody else was racing and somebody else was doing well with.
“In doing that they recognised then that they have some bigger problems other than just the engine and they had to make some changes. And I think they have made some very sensible changes.”
McLaren have reshaped their vision and set their eyes on title battle in 2023 especially relying on 2021 regulations.
