Eric Boullier: 'McLaren could take Honda break'

McLaren Racing Director Eric Boullier looks on in the paddock during day one of Formula One testing at Yas Marina Circuit on November 25, 2014
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McLaren's team boss admits that the British team could take a break from being powered by Honda engines in F1.

McLaren's team boss has admitted that the British team could take a break from being powered by Honda engines in Formula 1.

Up and down the paddock, most insiders expect that a full McLaren-Honda divorce is on the cards, but it appears that a trial separation could be a leading option instead.

"On paper it's a good strategy," team boss Boullier told Sky Sports News.

"If you can run a [different] engine for the time being until Honda is competitive, then why not? This is one of the various scenarios we may have considered."

Mercedes's Toto Wolff said in Baku that the issue of McLaren's 2018 engine supplier needs to be resolved by around the end of the summer.

Boullier admitted that the decision is "a question of weeks" away.

The Frenchman also said that McLaren are seeking to keep Fernando Alonso on board for 2018, but other reports indicate that the Spaniard is now almost certain to quit the team.

In Baku, Alonso's management had talks with Mercedes and Renault officials.

When asked if he knows what the future holds for him, Alonso said at the weekend: "Maybe."

Mclaren picked up their first points of the season yesterday, with Alonso finishing in ninth place.

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TeamPoints
1Mercedes250
2Ferrari226
3Red Bull137
4Force India79
5Williams-Mercedes37
6Toro Rosso33
7Haas21
8Renault18
9Sauber5
10McLaren2
DriversTeamPoints
1Sebastian VettelFerrari153
2Lewis HamiltonMercedes139
3Valtteri BottasMercedes111
4Daniel RicciardoRed Bull92
5Kimi RaikkonenFerrari73
6Max VerstappenRed Bull45
7Sergio PerezForce India44
8Esteban OconForce India35
9Carlos SainzToro Rosso29
10Felipe MassaWilliams-Mercedes20
11Nico HulkenbergRenault18
12Lance StrollWilliams-Mercedes17
13Kevin MagnussenHaas11
14Romain GrosjeanHaas10
15Pascal WehrleinSauber5
16Daniil KvyatToro Rosso4
17Fernando AlonsoMcLaren2
18Stoffel VandoorneMcLaren0
19Jolyon PalmerRenault0
20Marcus EricssonSauber0
21Antonio GiovinazziSauber0
22Jenson ButtonMcLaren0