Motorsport: McLaren confirms Renault move

Fernando Alonso on track during practice for the Formula One Grand Prix of Singapore. Photo / Getty Images

McLaren will swap their Honda engines for those from Renault at the end of the Formula One season.

Eight-time constructors' champions McLaren called time on a troubled three-year partnership marked by frustration and failure.

The split, announced at the Singapore Grand Prix on Friday, ends hope of recreating the magic of the late 1980s and early 90s when the British-based team and Japanese manufacturer were dominant together.

McLaren have struggled with performance and reliability during the team's partnership with Honda from the 2015 season.

The team will now use Renault engines in 2018, 2019 and 2020 in what will be the first time they have worked together.

Honda will stay in Formula One, replacing Renault as engine supplier to Red Bull-owned Toro Rosso, whose Spanish driver Carlos Sainz moves to the French team on loan for the 2018 season.

"There has never been any doubt over Honda's commitment and energy to the mission of success in Formula One," McLaren executive director Zak Brown said in a statement.

"For a combination of reasons our partnership has not flourished as any of us would have wished,"

"It is certainly not for the want of effort on the part of either Honda or McLaren, but the time has come to move ahead in different directions."