Coulthard: Divorce getting closer for McLaren-Honda

David Coulthard believes McLaren is moving closer to a divorce from Honda due to the lack of performance delivered by the power unit supplier.

Honda admitted to RACER at the end of pre-season testing that it has been left "a little bit scared" by the performance deficit to its rivals this year, but is confident it will solve its reliability issues by the Australian Grand Prix. With McLaren analyzing its options and being open to an early split despite having a long-term contract with Honda in place, Coulthard – who drove for the team from 1996 until 2004 – says he has little confidence the situation will improve anytime soon.

"There is a real concern," Coulthard told AutosportME during a visit to Baku. "This is the third year of the relationship; it's fine to say, 'OK, it's building years for Honda, they didn't have as long as other manufacturers,' but this is not Formula Excuse, it is Formula 1. You either deliver or you go and do something else.

"This has had a very detrimental effect on McLaren's team spirit, the sponsors and partners that they have been able to have. There has obviously been turmoil in the management and a restructuring there and no-one takes pleasure in seeing such a great, historic team going through such difficulties.

"Clearly there have been communication difficulties because if Honda had communicated correctly with McLaren as to where they were with the performance of the engine, why would you ever put that in your car until such time as it is developed sufficiently to be competitive? You can't afford to have one bad season in Formula 1, never mind two – or even three, as it's looking like being this year."

Asked what the next step is for McLaren, Coulthard replied: "They have to have all focus of performance on Honda. If they're not able to set targets and meet those targets – because clearly they haven't met them from last year to this year. Rumor has it they have even less power than they had last year and there's reasons and excuses because of reliability but that doesn't cut it.

"Performance is the only thing that cuts in Formula 1 and if Honda are not able to meet those performance criteria, they have to seek a divorce. Otherwise, it could continue to bring the team of McLaren the car builder down. Without a good power partner, you have nothing."