By Adam Tate, Associate Editor
The final hurdle for McLaren to finalize its messy divorce from Honda has been cleared. The parties involved have convinced Scuderia Toro Rosso to a supply of Honda powerplants through the 2020 season.
Renault will now supply one less team and Honda will have a partner so the Japanese giant can remain in F1.
As widely speculated, Carlos Sainz is set to leave the team and join Renault to sweeten the deal, though it is unclear if he will do so before the end of the season or not. It opens the door for 2016 GP2 champion and current Super Formula front runner Pierre Gasly to finally move up to the big leagues and partner Danill Kvyat at Toro Rosso.
The money Honda has brought to McLaren will now greatly boost Toro Rosso’s budget, enough that Helmut Marko and company are finally cutting Sainz free to pursue his career ambitions further up the grid.
More official announcements, including the final word on McLaren and Honda’s split will be announced from the paddock in Marina Bay on Friday. Expect the news to trigger a series of actions that will determine where several drivers will end up next season and if Fernando Alonso will even remain in F1 at all.
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