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Honda looks set to slow down the improvements to its engine made available to McLaren for the remaining races of 2017. It was confirmed in Singapore two weeks ago that the Japanese's works partnership with McLaren will end, as Honda switches to Toro Rosso next year.
Spain's El Confidencial newspaper now quotes Honda F1 chief Yusuke Hasegawa as saying the marque wants to "minimise the engine evolutions" released to McLaren from now on. "Previously, we prioritised performance, as any improvement would be also for next year," he is quoted as saying.
The Japanese is also quoted by Italy's Autosprint: "Now we would like to get maximum results. We will no longer work with Stoffel and Fernando next year so it means we can focus on McLaren's results this year."
However, Hasegawa also said it is possible Honda will introduce engine upgrades before the season concludes in November. "If we succeed in having a big development then we will not hesitate," he said. "It could be in Malaysia or Suzuka or the United States. Obviously we will try to avoid a penalty at Suzuka, but six races remain and we could introduce a new engine." (GMM)
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (6)
Login to replyBarron
Posts: 625
This is wrong on many levels. The least Honda can do is help McLaren until season end. Any 2017 PU development will also help come 2018. Do they now intend to down tools and start again in the new year? The PU will be exactly the same form factor next year so it would simply be a case of continuing development, and my goodness! They need it! Then in the next breath they say they 'could' introduce a new engine this year. This statement defies logic - either that or the reporter was drunk.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
From the sound of it, alot seemed to be out of context, as reporters usually like to do with basically anything in F1. I can see why they wouldnt want to waste resources on an already lost partner, but at the same time its good commercial for them if they were to improve massively this season already.
kngrthr
Posts: 203
yeah, its like free testing . and they need all the testing they can get
Patentprutser
Posts: 388
Don't get it that this even is possible.
Honda has a contract with McLaren, it can't be that McLaren will take for this granted.
Rindtchamp
Posts: 304
lol, really.. is that even possible?
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
It actually makes sense when you think about. The strategy from Honda, epically for the last 2-3 months has been to show any and all progress in order to show McLaren that they are heading in the right direction. This cost them quite a few grid penalties, but was deemed worth it to theoretically be more competitive.
Now with the decision being made, this strategy doesn't really make sense for either party. It won't make sense for McLaren to take grid penalties for small incremental updates, and it won't make sense for Honda to throw s**t at the wall and see what sticks, instead of doing more well rounded updates, so to speak, where reliability is also an issue.
I'm sure if Honda can provide a significant update that they'll use it right away, but until then, it doesn't make much sense at this point.