This weekend's Japanese Grand Prix is likely to be another unremarkable race in another disappointing season for McLaren, but in 12 months' time the Suzuka round of the Formula 1 world championship will once again become one of the most important events on the Woking team's calendar.
That's because next season McLaren will end its 20-year engine partnership with Mercedes to link up with Japanese motor giant Honda - owner of the Suzuka circuit - for a second time, thus turning its back on what is currently the best engine in F1 in the process.
The last couple of seasons have been particularly trying for a team that is used to winning - no podiums in 2013 and locked in a battle with Force India for a lowly fifth in the constructors' race this season. All the while, Mercedes' own works team is heading for a dominant drivers' and constructors' championship double.