TAP HERE for LIVE t꧃ext commen😼tary of the first pre-season F1 test of 2017

McLaren racing director Eric Boullier has admitted the F1 🧔team's relationship with Honda is experiencing 'maximum' strain amidst ongoing technical issues with the MCL32.

A collaboration dogged with reliability issues since Honda returned to the sport in 2015 to supply engines to McLaren, the team's preparation for the 2017 F1 season received another setback as electrical problems halted it at the beginning of the second pre-seasonꦑ test

With Honda forced to change its power unit again, pressure is once more mounting on the Japanese firm to get on top of the problems that ha🐼ve prevented McLare🤡n from making significant strides with its otherwise well-received package.

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Indeed, though Boullier has always maintained McLaren a🍸nd Honda are working closely together, he says the responsibility remains with its partner and that the issues are taking a toll on the relationship.

"Maximum," Boullier responded when asked whether there was stra🍷in on 💦the relationship. "But obviously we are in Formula 1, we are racing and we have to perform, so the pressure is obviously huge.

"We put the maximum pressure on all of our relationship with Honda and the same from them. We can't put a foot wrong, we need to be able to deliver the best car as well, so this i🌄s both sides."

"For the race obviously 🌠a lot of it is in the hands of H⛎onda to make sure they investigate properly, they address it properly and we have to rely on our partners that they will do it and we believe they will do it.

"Well it's always [the problems] been in their court because we are partners but tಞhey are responsible for the engine part and we are for the cha🦩ssis part.

"We have a special relations💜hip obviously, it's like a work's team so we are very much involved in both organizations and any support we can bring we will. So if we can do more, we will do more. But I don't want any distract𒆙ions from the chassis program as well."

Despite this, Boullier reiterated there is no sugge🤪stion McLaren will c♚onsider exiting its long-term with Honda.

"We have a contract in place and actually normally it's seven years in every marriage or relationship, not three! No, we don't even think about it. There is a solid contract between us, a long-term contract and obv🦩iously we want to build on it even if it's no🥀t the ideal times yet."

Stoffel Vandoo🐼rne complet♑ed 34 laps before he was halted by an electrical problem that necessitated a power unit change.

Though Honda denied reports it has already made six changes of engine since F1 testing be🅷gan, it🥂 would not reveal the exact number.

Fernando Alonso resumes testing ಞfor th🐎e team on Tuesday.

T⭕AP HERE for LIVE text commentary of the first pre-season F1 test of 2017