F1: Brawn in warning to Honda

Ferrari’s technical director Ross Brawn has warned Honda that they will have to ditch one of their teams if they want to regain their Formula One dominance.

The Japanese car giant, which won six successive manufacturers’ titles with Williams and McLaren between 1986 and 1991, currently supply engines to Jordan and British American Racing.

Honda are still waiting for their first victory since returning to F1 after a seven-year absence in 2000 while they have not scored a point in four races so far this season.

Brawn said in Barcelona today ahead of Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix that Honda needed to join forces with just one team if they wanted success.

‘‘If there is one criticism of their approach it is that they still look like an engine supplier rather than a partner,’’ said Brawn.

‘‘Honda have to look at that if they want to be successful.

‘‘They have got to get together with a team and become one entity. They need to bite the bullet and go in with a team if they want to achieve the success they had in the past. It’s more difficult now.

‘‘We supply engines to Sauber but on a customer basis. We give them as much support as we can, but it does not effect our own F1 effort.’’

There is speculation that Honda are considering pulling out of its deal to supply engines to Jordan in 2003.

But team chief Eddie Jordan insisted earlier today that he was confident of continuing with the deal next season.

‘‘I have a solid contract with them,’’ he said. ‘‘People are saying they are going to do a runner, but I do not think they are. They are a fabulous partner.’’

Takeo Fukui, president of Honda’s research and development department, signalled a possible change of plan after attending the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola earlier this month.

‘‘We signed a three-year contract with Jordan last year. But we are constantly looking at the racing situation and as things currently stand we have to look into reconsidering this agreement,’’ he said.

Honda won successive manufacturers’ titles with Williams in 1986 and 1987 but pulled out of the contract for the following year to switch to McLaren with whom it won four titles in a row.