McLaren: 'Never say never' to future Honda reunion

Zak Brown paid tribute to Honda for its efforts over the past three years ahead of its final race as McLaren's Formula 1 engine supplier in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, adding he could "never say never" about a future reunion.

McLaren and Honda rekindled their famous partnership from the late 1980s and early '90s back in 2015, only for endure three difficult seasons that yielded not a single podium finish, leaving the British team ninth in the standings ahead of the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.

McLaren confirmed in Singapore it would be parting company with Honda at the end of the year to link up with Renault from next season. Honda will switch to working with Toro Rosso from the start of 2018.

In a speech given to assembled journalists in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, McLaren executive director Brown thanked Honda and its F1 boss Yusuke Hasegawa for its efforts over the past three years.

"They have been great partners, they're great people. We get along really well," Brown said.

"It's been a very difficult situation for all of us as you know. But we have remained great friends, they're great people. We will miss them.

"We were with Honda in the late '80s, so never say never. We could be back again together in the future.

"So Hasegawa-san, I want to thank you for all the effort you've put into our partnership, and everyone back in Japan."

Hasegawa was asked in the preceding press conference if he was happy to see the end of the season after a tough year that saw Honda struggle for both reliability and performance.

"It is obvious the current performance is not what we expected," Hasegawa said.

"But also we had some good things and bad things. We have to take the good things very positively to motivate us for next year.

"I'm OK."