Honda to the BAR?

Claims emerging from the Brazilian Grand Prix were that Honda is talking to BAR about supplying it with works engines in 2000.

Honda had set up a team in England that was expected to form the basis of a full works Honda outfit, building its own cars and engines.
But, F1 insiders say the Honda board is split on how to attack F1 next year and that it could instead supply factory engines to team such as BAR or Jordan.

BAR boss Craig Pollock said, 'I'll talk to anyone who will give me engines.'

Pollock would have to get himself out of a two-year contract with customer engine supplier Supertec if he was to have works Honda engines in 2000.

Supertec boss Flavio Briatore confirmed last weekend that BAR is under contract for next season. Rumours say the buy-out clause is in the region of £9 million.

Jordan has also been strongly linked to a possible supply of works engines in place of customer Mugen Hondas. Honda board member Hirotoshi Honda, who owns Mugen, is said to be pushing hard for Jordan to be given works engines.

Some F1 insiders say that is the way the board is leaning at the moment. Jordan team boss Eddie Jordan denied that he has had any such talks with Honda. Honda's return to the sport remains shrouded in doubt, seemingly because the board is not ready to make a decision.

As well as the possibility that it could supply works engines to an existing team, Honda could cancel the project altogether, according to come insiders.

This is in spite of F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone reserving the 12th and last slot for the team. Jordan is already believed to have a deal for a continued supply of Mugen for engines in 2000, although the team denies that as well.

Insiders at Honda's UK F1 base continue to insist that their project will be given the go-ahead. Team boss Harvey Postlethwaite would make no comment on the latest rumours.