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Honda's Formula One boss Yusuke Hasegawa has said that the manufacturer is "discussing the possibility" of supplying a second team in 2018.
Currently, the Japanese marque only has an agreement in place with McLaren, having returned to the sport with the team in 2015.
Now they hope to have a decision in place "around the time of the Monaco Grand Prix" as to whether they will expand their engine supply portfolio.
"That's when Red Bull and Toro Rosso announced they would use the Renault engine this year," Hasegawa told Autosport.
"That is the latest timing for us but the earlier we know, the better."
"Now we are discussing the possibility of cooperation and the chance to supply the engine but so far, there is no fixed negotiation," he said.
Hasegawa also revealed that there had been some tentative interest from other teams, although he hinted that none of the interested teams were current Mercedes customers.
"There has been informal interest. They are very kind to show some level of interest," he said. "Mercedes customers have no strong intention to change their engine to Honda."
"We have to prove we can show a decent step in the performance of the Honda engine," he admitted. "Until then, I don't think they can show us a concrete request."
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (8)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
One thing I think Honda definitely improved in 2016 was their lead. Arai was nice and all, but I didnt like the way he exaggerated how much the engine improved (mind you, it did improve, but equal to Ferrari's unit it was not). Hasegawa is likable and honest, and he actually seem to know what he is talking about.
That aside, I think Honda has what it takes to improve their unit, doubt it will be equal to Mercedes, but it'll definitely improve.
Hemex
Posts: 1,270
Yes, I assume a new engine that had less power is no option, and the only way forward is a stronger one. So that's rather obvious. Question is how much, and more to the point: how huch relative to the other manufacturers. Now, Hasegawa may well be likable (I reserve my opinion on that one), but it remains to be seen how honest he is. Bearing in mind his position, I don't believe he can be any more honest than the others, and nobody knows what they've got up their sleeve. But I guess you've got a weak spot for him to begin with, maybe?
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Time will tell, but I think they'll be able to catch up to Renault and Ferrari.
Why did you assume that? To be honest, I didnt know about Hasegawa before he was promoted. Of course most people in his position are not to be completely trusted, however so far he has at least shown a certain degree of modesty, and hasnt babbled on about how good their engine will be next year, instead saying "we made this and this in 2016, which is nice, but we will try harder next year". Time will tell whether he too will end up being a babbling baboon.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Naturally this is just my opinion, could be completely wrong, but thats what I think as of now. What is your opinion on him so far?
Hemex
Posts: 1,270
Well, I agree with you that he seems to be doing a better job than Arai, being more willing to cooperate than to dictate. That might very well yield better results if he can manage the entire process. Calling him honest is in my eyes a misnomer, not because of any character flaw he might or might not have, but just because honesty does not pay in this line of business. And of course he does not have to be honest, just getting the job done would help a lot. Yes, time will tell.
Bhurt
Posts: 320
I believe he meant that the petrol engine was on par with Ferrari, but obviously the energy part of the engine was still crap. They could hang with the others quite well up until the others got the added boost of the electric energy.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
@Hemex Yeah, honest might be the wrong word, businessmen's honesty only tend to reach as far as they can profit, especially in this sport, but definitely seem more modest and willing to cooperate.
@Bhurt That might be, but Im not sure, and I dont remember if Arai mentioned it in the interview, but I dont think he did.
Bhurt
Posts: 320
@Calle What other possible interpretation is there? Nobody in their right mind would have stood there and claimed that their power unit was on par with the others. The engine was comparable, the power unit was not. Arai may have been called a number of things over the past couple of years, primarily by British media, but you don't reach the status and position he held at Honda if you're a complete moron.
His methods may not have been the best, but there's nothing wrong with his mind.