Honda: McLaren Formula 1 team struggled to adapt to change

The McLaren Formula 1 team is a "systematic" company that finds it hard to adapt to change, according to Honda motorsport chief Masashi Yamamoto

McLaren and Honda have agreed to end their relationship after three troublesome seasons, with McLaren switching to Renault and Honda teaming up with Toro Rosso.

PODCAST: How it all went wrong for McLaren-Honda

Yamamoto, the general manager of Honda's motorsport division, hinted that Toro Rosso will be more open to change than McLaren proved.

"Working with McLaren, I've realised that they are a very big company which is very systematic," said Yamamoto in an interview on the Honda Racing website.

"It's obviously very strong because of that but at the same time they can find it hard to adapt to change.

"Compare that to Toro Rosso, it is a company that is growing. It is very important for us to work in partnership together, heading towards the same goal.

"So for us we are very much looking forward to being able to work closer.

"Take this for an example: If we compare both teams with different cuisines, let's say McLaren is a very sophisticated French cuisine, that's the way it is.

"Then Toro Rosso is more like a countryside, homemade, delicious stew where you can add new ingredients. We're excited to do that."

Communication was one of the key problems McLaren and Honda encountered during their renewed relationship but Yamamoto hopeful Honda will have more success with its new partner.

"First, [Toro Rosso team principal] Mr [Franz] Tost knows a lot about Japan," he said.

+ Discuss the McLaren-Honda situation in the Autosport Forum

"He understands the culture and it's a good communication that we have.

"We have seen that they also have a young factory and are growing, which for Honda is very important because we can work with the same mentality and have the same approach.

"It is a new start with a team with a similar mindset to move forwards together.

"Toro Rosso and Honda will start working together immediately and for the coming years.

"However, before that we have the rest of the 2017 season to complete with McLaren, so a good communication between us is still very important, as well as a good performance in the remaining races."

Yamamoto added Honda wants to use its opportunity with Toro Rosso, which could lead to a tie-up with Red Bull from 2019, to prove it has what it takes to succeed in F1.

"The regulations go on until 2020 so we still have three years and we want to show our improvements in the technology. We want to show Honda's potential," he said.

"That is very important for us, to let the world see how we will progress and how we can make it a success."

shares
comments

Fernando Alonso expects 'normality' in F1 2018 with Honda gone

Vettel only has himself to blame for title blow

How a lawyer-turned-journalist became a crucial player in Alfa's F1 revival

How a lawyer-turned-journalist became a crucial player in Alfa's F1 revival

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Qatar GP
GP Racing

How a lawyer-turned-journalist became a crucial player in Alfa's F1 revival How a lawyer-turned-journalist became a crucial player in Alfa's F1 revival

Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season

Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Qatar GP
Matt Kew

Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season Why a Qatar sprint race coronation for Verstappen befits a dull 2023 F1 season

F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas

F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Qatar GP
Oleg Karpov

F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas F1 folk: The 'lucky' engineer who guided Grosjean and helped build Haas

The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team

The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Damien Smith

The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team The salvation story behind Benetton's emergence as an F1 team

Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers

Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Damien Smith

Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers Ranking the top 10 Benetton F1 drivers

When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle

When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Belgian GP
GP Racing

When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle When Mansell and Senna settled their differences in an F1 pitlane scuffle

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Jonathan Noble

The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold The F1 treasure map where Hamilton hopes Mercedes hits gold

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Japanese GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose The two F1 rules problems Perez’s recent mishaps expose

Subscribe