Honda deny horsepower boost

Honda has dismissed reports claiming that they have managed to extract more than a whopping 200 horse power over the winter break from their hitherto under-powered F1 engine.

Earlier, the Spanish sports daily AS claimed McLaren's works engine partner had closed the gap to the leading manufacturers for 2016 by improving the internal combustion engine and troublesome energy recovery systems.

"Sakura, the Honda factory in Japan, has worked 24 hour shifts without Christmas holidays," correspondent Manuel Franco wrote.

But Honda told Sky on Monday: "These reports are unsubstantiated and merely speculative, and we ask fans and media alike to treat them as such."