McLaren-Honda could find themselves with a financial shortfall in 2016 due to its disappointing 2015 season, as the British team find themselves down in an unfamiliar ninth place in the championship that would reduce the amount of income it receives from Formula One Management (FOM).
The Woking team have been without a significant sponsor since Vodafone dropped out of the sport at the end of 2013, and although the team are looking for sponsors to cover the likely shortfall, the team may have to get Honda to invest more in the team.
“We have not definitely asked Honda about such a scenario, because it’s still a little bit early days,” said Racing Director Eric Boullier. “As a partner we will have to address this scenario next year.
“As a team as well we are working hard to improve our sponsorship portfolio, and I cannot guarantee you 100 per cent, but 99.9 per cent there will be some announcement soon.
“We are working hard, and we obviously have to find sponsors, and if we are not finishing in the right ranking in the championship, will we lose some direct FOM monies, and we will have to find a way to replace it.
“I’m not saying it’s going to be Honda. We have to do it, so there are other mechanisms. But we are going to address this if it happens.”
