Honda to buy into McLaren (Update)

UPDATE This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. McLaren on Thursday denied reports Honda is looking at buying into the Woking based team.

Rumors in Japan this week said the Japanese carmaker, returning to formula one next year as McLaren's works engine supplier, might also be contemplating buying the 50 per cent team share currently held by the Bahrain-owned Mumtalakat company.

Initially, a team source played down the speculation by saying any transfer of shares would have to be agreed to by McLaren's other co-owners, Ron Dennis and Mansour Ojjeh.

And a McLaren spokesman told us on Thursday: "Contrary to recent media reports, Honda has informed us that it has no intention to buy into McLaren.

"All of Honda's focus is on the development of its new formula one power unit," he added.

05/28/14 (GMM) Rumors in Japan suggest Honda is looking at buying into McLaren.

After a six year absence, the Japanese car manufacturer is returning to formula one next year, initially as McLaren's works supplier of turbo V6 engines.

But when Honda quit at the end of 2008, it also wholly owned the Brackley based team that today is Mercedes.

The Honda buy-in rumors were reported on Tuesday by German-language Speed Week, saying the shares in question are currently held by the Bahrain-owned Mumtalakat company.

Bahrain currently owns 50 per cent of the Woking based team.