Tost admits reduction in engine parts will cause a "headache"
- Published on 19 Jan 2018 15:29
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- By: Fergal Walsh
Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost is wary of this year's engine regulations, and understands that the consequences will cause the team a headache. In 2017, teams were permitted to use four components of any engine part throughout the season.
It saw a large number of penalties being handed out up and down the grid, which in turn saw complaints pour in from fans. For 2018, there will only be three ICEs, MGU-Hs and turbochargers permitted, and just two MGU-Ks, energy stores and control electronics.
Toro Rosso will be running with Honda power for the year, and given the Japanese manufacturer's lack of reliability over the last three seasons, Tost knows that Red Bull's junior squad could be in for some troubled days ahead.
"That depends primarily on how Honda keeps their durability under control but clearly, it will not be easier. This reduced number of units will give us a bit of a headache. Nobody will disagree when I say: Honda offers a fantastic infrastructure. There are also very clever and highly motivated technicians. The shortcomings of the past are recognised, and everyone is about to eliminate them."
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Replies (8)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Yeah, I fear what it will mean for this year, but we'll have to see. I legit hope Im wrong, but at worst we could even see Mercedes teams taking penalties. Worse, they've reduced the amount of allocations, but havent made exceptions for when a unit is broken during an incident you havent caused yourself. It doesnt matter how harsh of a penalty the other driver get after that, you've effectively not only lost potential points that race, but it has costed you important grid places in the coming race.
"given the Japanese manufacturer's lack of reliability over the last three seasons" Two. Two seasons of poor reliability, not three. Look at Honda's total amount of retirements during 2016. -.-
boudy
Posts: 1,168
I agree that reliability of the Hondas has been poor. However they have been constantly chasing performance, I predict that they will have a similar experience in the first half of the 2018 season. Together with red bull they will get the reliability under control but not to the level allowed for the 2018 season. However 2019 will be a different thing when the main team will switch to them.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Also, I think most who are even remotely familiar with Honda know that they have a good infrastructure, the Sakura base is great, the problem is in them going in too early, underestimating the challenge, agreeing to the size-zero concept, Arai, being hampered by the regulations back then, and likely going in with McLaren instead of a smaller team. I've seen them do great comebacks in other series, I still think they can do something like that in F1, but I wont exactly be holding my breath for it.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
2015 and 2017? Yeah, abysmal reliability. 2016 was a pretty good year in that regard though.
I hope they will progress enough to catch or beat Renault, and I hope they'll improve enough to convince Red Bull. But time will tell.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
If you remember how much problems Renault had before they improved. Redbull worked with them on all kinds of improvements. Than suddenly they improved with a major step. I believe that this will also happen with Honda. It's in redbull and Honda's interest to make this cooperation work. I believe that they retained Verstappen on this premise and also think that they will retain Ricciardo because of it. And indeed time will tell.
Rindtchamp
Posts: 304
Todt needs to sod off before he totally ruins F1.
mpm001
Posts: 20
do you even read the article? or even notice it says Tost, not Todt?
NSBiker
Posts: 18
Likely it will get to the point that so many drivers are getting penalties, you could take a full Power Unit upgrade penalty and if you do it soon enough (on the weekend), you could be starting in the top 15 or better.
We need a pool so at least someone wins with the first grid penalty for a Power Unit component. My bet is before they get back to Europe.