TAP HERE for LIVE text commentary 🍸of the first pre-season F1 test of 2017

McLaren racing director Eric Boullier has admitted the F1 team's relationship wit꧋h Honda is experiencing 'maximum' strain amidst ongoing technical iss🍸ues with the MCL32.

A collaboration dogged with reliability issues since Honda returned to the sport in 2015 to supply engines to McLaren, the te𒊎am's preparation for the 2017 F1 season received another setback as electri🥀cal problems halted it at the beginning of the second pre-season test

With Honda forced to change its power unit again, pressure is once more mounting on the Japanese firm to get on top of the problems that have prevented McLaren from makin⛎g significant strides with its otherwise well-received package.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Are these the solutions to ﷽F1's problems?

Indeed, thoughꦬ Boullier has always maintained McLaren and Honda are working closely together, he says the responsibility remains with its partner and that the issues are taking a toll on the relationship.

"Maximum," Boullier responded when asked whether there was strain on the relationship. "But obviously we are in Formula 1, we ౠare racing and we have to perform, so the pressure is obviously huge.

"We put the maximum pressure on all of our relationship with Honda and the same from them. We can't put a foot wrong, we need to be able to deliver the best car 💦as well, so this is both sides."

"For the race obviously a lot of i🌊t is in the hands of Honda to make sur🏅e they investigate properly, they address it properly and we have to rely on our partners that they will do it and we believe they will do it.

"Well it's always [the problems] been in their court because we are partners but they are responsible for ꧑the engine part and we are for the chassis partജ.

"We have a special relationship obviously, it's like a work's team so we are very much involved in both organizations ꦛand any support we can bring we will. So if we can do more, we will do more. But I don't want any distractions from the chassis program as꧙ well."

Despite this, Boullier reiterated there is no suggesti⛄on McLaren will consider exiting its long-term 🥂with Honda.

"We have a contract in place and actually normally it's seven years in every marriage or relationship, not three! No, we don't even think about it. There 💖is a solid contract between us, a long-term contract and obviously we want to build on it even if it's not the ideal times yet."

Stoff🌱el Vandoorne completed 34 laps before he was halted by an electrical problem that necessitated a pow🧸er unit change.

Though Honda denied reports it has already made six changes of engine since F1 testing began, it wouꦫld not reveal the exact number.

Fernando Alonso resumes 🦩teꦕsting for the team on Tuesday.

TAP HERE for 🐽LIVE text commentary of the first pre-season F1 test of 2017