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Honda has admitted that the initial packaging of its engine for the 2019 season is "a little bit too aggressive", but played down any major concerns.
This season, the Japanese manufacturer will continue to supply Toro Rosso while making the leap up the grid to its sister team, Red Bull Racing.
At pre-season testing in Barcelona, Honda ran into no big issues and had its most successful pre-season display since its returned as an engine manufacturer in 2015. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said the engine in the back of the RB15 looked like "a Swiss clock".
While there are no big concerns on Honda's side, its F1 technical director Toyoharu Tanabe has confirmed that it will be making changes prior to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
"We don't have a serious problem with the current installation, but we found some issues because of the tight packaging," said Tanabe.
"The shape was a little bit too aggressive, so we need to make it a little bit different. It's not a big concern."
Tanabe was also keen to avoid dishing out expectations for the upcoming season with both Red Bull and Toro Rosso. When asked if he was happy with the progress that has been made, Tanabe laughed: "Never happy, actually!
"Of course we have a target. And a target through the year as well. We are not so confident with the current achievement. Still there are a lot of areas we need to work on to catch up to the top competitors."
Grand Prix of Belgium
G. Zhou
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Replies (5)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Ugh, for Oden's sake. You really need to keep me awake at night, don't ya? Don't you know, size doesn't matter, as Capt'n Morgan said when he ignored his oversized liver?
Ram Samartha
Posts: 1,172
Their tone is a bit different this year. Sounds like they are managing expectations but that kind of warning may indicate a fatter engine section on the RB/Honda cars which may mean less aero efficiency.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
It's been their tone for the last couple of years, since Hasegawa and now Tanabe took over. Tanabe, in particular, is more "westernized", and know that the kinda spiel's Arai was playing at won't work. And the two changed more than the sound to boot.
Vega23
Posts: 17
So, as it sounds like they have to compromise either on performance or packaging, will this mean a redesign of bodywork to allow more cooling?, or some management of temperature via turning down the wick in hotter environments?.. Honda were impressive in testing, but that will be one of the coolest air temps that they will encounter this year (not including the British GP of course!)
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
It will depend on how big the redesign is. I don't necessarily think performance might be compromised post-revision, but packaging could, if it's big enough to affect the chassis designs RB and STR have made. For all we know, the revision itself might be sufficient to optimize cooling. I do think, and fear, that the cool climate could be decieving in that regard, but time will tell.