Honda and Ingram have reached an impasse today in their engine negotiations and as such Ingram will not run Honda engines next season. Honda's future has been in doubt ever since the huge news earlier in the season that Franklin, FVs most successful team, would be pulling out of the sport. Franklin and Honda have been partners since the inaugural season of Formula Virtual and Honda were believed to have been shocked at the departure of their longtime partners. Ingram joined the arrangement in 2014 but were generally believed to be junior partners in the relationship with Franklin and all engine decisions were made by Mr Franklin. A third team, Andromeda, also ran Honda engines in 2019, while Ocelot had Honda engines in 2017. Honda have remained tightlipped since the news broke, bar an official confirmation of the termination of the relationship with Ingram. An Ingram source, however, suggested that the Honda were doubtful of Ingram's ability to transform themselves from midfield alsorans to championship contenders. It seems Ingram were initially confident of retaining the services of Honda and were deep in 2020 planning with current partner Andromeda but Honda's initial sceptiscm wasn't helped by the departure of Andromeda, further weaking Ingram's hand. We contacted both Jamie Franklin and William Ingram for comment, and Mr Franklin issued the following statement: "Honda have been fantastic partners throughout our entire time here in Formula Virtual. In fact, that's an understatement. There's no-one else I could have seen working side by side with all this time. As they've done with us, I want to wish them the best of luck for the future. It's a huge blow to the sport to have such a prestigious manufacturer decide to leave." Mr Ingram also thanked Honda for their partnership over the past 6 years and hoped that the two companies could work together in the future. Honda of course have powered Ingram to their only victories so far in FV. Of course, Honda have not announced a complete departure from the sport and a recent press conference seemed to suggest that as long as a team would uphold Honda's repuation as a habitual FV winner Honda would consider supplying them engines. It is believed they will remain in close contact with Jamie Franklin and seek his advice before any commitment. Honda currently have entered 256 V-Prix (Franklin 119, Ingram 103, Ocelot 18, Andromeda 16) and won 37 (Franklin 35, Ingram 2). Our source suggested that head honcho William Ingram was disappointed by the news but not completely surprised. As it stands Ingram could still secure a deal with a number of engine marques with latest rumours linking him to the new Porsche engine.
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