Good and bad news for Honda engine ’freeze’

The news on Sunday was both good and bad for Honda.

The good is that McLaren’s struggling new works partner has found two more days in its delayed programme before the 2015-spec turbo V6 must be homologated.

On paper, the deadline is actually February 28, but that is a Saturday and FIA inspectors will not actually be on duty to sign off the paperwork until Monday, according to Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.

But there is also bad news, particularly in light of McLaren-Honda’s struggles with its new MP4-30 package.

Ron Dennis has been pushing hard for more ’tokens’ so that Honda can develop its ’power unit’ throughout 2015, just like 2014 suppliers Mercedes, Renault and Ferrari.

But the FIA is staying firm on its compromise to let Honda only have the average number of tokens left over by its rivals when the racing begins in Melbourne next month.

Auto Motor und Sport quoted an insider in Paris as saying: "We have already made a compromise and Honda should be satisfied with it.

"There is nothing in the rules that would see Honda claiming the maximum value of tokens," the voice added.