Honda: Podium, wins in 'next two years'

London - Honda's Formula 1 boss Yusuke Hasegawa has warned that even podiums are for now a distant target for the McLaren-Honda project.

McLaren supremo Ron Dennis had eyebrows raising in the paddock recently when he declared that the Anglo-Japanese collaboration will succeed Mercedes as F1's next champions.

McLaren-Honda best-positioned

Fernando Alonso agrees, telling Marca sports newspaper: "After Mercedes, someone will follow and if you look at the other teams and manufacturers I don't think there's anyone in a better position for the future than McLaren-Honda."

The Spaniard has even targeted the world title as early as 2017, but according to Honda's Hasegawa, that might be premature.

READ: Honda aiming for 2017 Championship?

Hasegawa told Germany's Auto Motor und Sport: "We are not satisfied, but our results this year have been reasonable, considering where we came from.

"Yes, we are on schedule. And we are optimistic about a podium or a victory within the next two years."

A podium goal in 2016, the Japanese added, is not realistic.

"No. Only with luck," said Hasegawa. "Our realistic goal is to regularly finish in the points."

READ: Alonso urges McLaren to focus on 2016

He said Honda is happy with the progress it has made so far this year.

Hasegawa added: "On the electrical side, we have virtually reached the level of the other manufacturers. Now we need to focus on the internal combustion engine."