Honda confirms F1 return and McLaren engine deal for 2015

Honda will return to Formula 1 as an engine supplier and reunite with McLaren from 2015, the Japanese manufacturer giant has officially confirmed.

Following months of growing speculation that McLaren were poised to end their near two-decade relationship with Mercedes and revive their previously all-conquering partnership Honda from the end of next season, Honda's CEO confirmed the deal in a press conference in Japan on Thursday.

McLaren boss Martin Whitmarsh was also in attendance at the event and expressed his confidence that the second incarnation of the partnership could live up to the multiple title-winning success of the first, which lasted for five seasons between 1988 and 1992.

"Together Honda and McLaren have a great legacy," Whitmarsh said.

"As we look to the future Honda and McLaren are utterly committed to maintaining that legacy and being successful once more."

The announcement means that McLaren will only run current partner, and former shareholder, Mercedes' new engines for one solitary year of F1's new V6 turbo engine regulation era, the two parties having been together since 1995.

Honda last competed in F1, then as a team owner, in 2008 but abruptly quit the sport and sold their Brackley-based team to Ross Brawn in wake of plunging sales of their road cars amid the worldwide financial crisis.