McLaren, Honda inquire ruling preventing them from improving engine during 2015 F1 season

Formula One team McLaren and new engine partner Honda inquired into a ruling that prevents them from improving their engine during the 2015 season but allows their rivals to do so and it has left the latter annoyed.

This comes on the heels of the discovery of a loophole and subsequent clarification of the rules by Formula One's governing body, the FIA.

McLaren-Honda have been in contact with the FIA about the issue but said that it would not comment further for now, as the situation arose because of a lack of clarity in the rules concerning permitted engine developments, the BBC reported.

Renault and Ferrari had wanted to end the ban in an attempt to close the gap on Mercedes, which had the dominant power-unit in 2014.

The FIA has informed Honda that it must submit its definitive 2015 engine designs by 28 February, whereas Renault, Ferrari and Mercedes can stagger improvements over the season if required.

Because Honda's new engine is racing for the first time in 2015, the FIA believes it is fair and equitable that Honda fulfills the same restrictions as its rivals last year.

Honda, which has returned to Formula One this season following an absence of six years, feels that the ruling puts them at a disadvantage, and would meet the FIA next week to discuss the situation.

Honda has the option of lodging a protest against Ferrari, who discovered the loophole that has led to the change in interpretation of the rules by the FIA.

The 2015 Formula One season starts with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 15 March, the report added.