McLaren boss: Honda situation was 'extremely difficult'

McLaren CEO Zak Brown has claimed that the situation they had with Honda over the last few seasons was 'extremely difficult' as the partnership comes off a spell together dogged by engine problems, but did concede that he would consider working with the Japanese outfit in the future.

Throughout the McLaren-Honda partnership, the team did not finish higher than sixth in the rankings and failed to secure a single podium finish in a GP.

They have subsequently split and McLaren will now be using engines provided by Renault, and Brown has conceded that their time together was difficult.

“We’ve had a lot of challenges,” Brown told Sky Sports.

“Obviously the Honda situation was extremely difficult, but I think we have handled it well, like with where we are going in the future.”

“We just weren’t getting to where we needed to be quick enough,” Brown added when questioned about the reason for the contract termination.

“They do have a certain way of working and Eric [Boullier] commented earlier in the year, ‘if you’re going to do Formula 1 you have to do it the Formula 1 way’ and I think they understand that now.

“I think they are taking the appropriate measures and I think they will get there, but we just had to go for a more proven product [in Renault].”

In the past, McLaren and Honda have worked well together and secured every championship between 1988 and 1991, and the historical success means that Brown did not rule out working win the Japanese manufacturer again.

“They are a great company. We have won a few world championships with them. They know what they are doing," Brown continued.

“For a variety of reasons they just didn’t get it right this time but we have maintained a good relationship and so definitely never say never in this sport.”