McLaren has rubbished recent speculation that they could be set to switch back to Honda power from 2014 when the new engine regulations are introduced.
The German media reported Honda executives had made contact with McLaren after showing an interest in getting back into the sport as a supplier, following their withdrawal in 2008.
Jonathan Neale, managing director, dismissed the rumours as pure speculation during a Vodafone McLaren-Mercedes phone-in on Wednesday.
“That is all wide of the mark,” said Neale. “We are very happy with and enjoying our partnership with Mercedes-Benz. We are not quite sure where that story came from in truth.
“But I can stop the rumour and say that we are entirely focused on our Mercedes-Benz relationship. It is a long one spanning many wins and championships and long may it continue.”
Neale was also pushed on whether being a customer of Mercedes, rather than a works team as they have been in the past, would harm their form as the German manufacturer looks to concentrate on its own outfit.
“I don’t think that’s a concern,” he replied. “Of course Mercedes have their own team and it is right and proper that a degree of focus is going in that direction. I have just been talking this morning to Thomas Kerr at Mercedes-Benz – we speak frequently – and we want the same thing.
“It’s in our interest to have a consistent engine. Thomas was pleased Mercedes got six cars in the top ten in qualifying on Saturday in Abu Dhabi. They take real pleasure and delight in that, as they should. And of course we like to beat them all as well, so that worked well for us. They are formidable technical partners and we enjoy that relationship.”
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