Williams-Honda rumours played down

Rumours that Williams could be set to switch to customer Honda power for 2017 have been denied.

After a woeful 2015, Honda have made a step forward with their exclusive works partner McLaren this year, new director Yusuke Hasegawa says.

"We had reliability and both drivers were happy with the car," he is quoted as saying by Austria's Laola1 after the Australian Grand Prix. "The power unit is not yet strong enough so we need to increase the performance."

The Japanese admitted that until Honda steps forward some more, "no customer will want our engines".

That, however, has not stopped speculation that it could be Williams who are eyeing the switch to Honda, even though McLaren's Ron Dennis seems defiant in defending McLaren's exclusive deal.

Even Mercedes boss Toto Wolff ruled out Honda engines for Williams, given the team's contract with the German carmaker.

"No," the Austrian told Auto Bild. "[Williams] have a contract with Mercedes until 2020."

It is understood that Force India's Mercedes deal also runs through 2020.