Scuderia Toro Rosso working to fit Honda engine
- Published on 15 Dec 2017 10:08
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- By: Rob Veenstra
Scuderia Toro Rosso is working hard to fit the Honda power unit into its 2018 car. The basis of the Red Bull junior team's car for next year was designed around the Renault power unit, but that deal is moving to McLaren for 2018.
Toro Rosso technical boss James Key said the Honda unit is "fundamentally different". "It's a very compact unit, but a different architecture to the Renault. It requires a lot of adaptation work," he told Speed Week.
Key said Toro Rosso cannot start the Honda-powered 2018 car "from scratch" because the main aerodynamic surfaces of the car are already set in stone. (GMM)
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Replies (8)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Makes sense, its a completely different beast from the Renault's unit in terms of design. A bit unfortunate that they wont be able to benefit from the unit's small size for the aero, but cant be helped. Starting a car from scratch this late would be madness, far too time consuming and costly.
By the way, which unit was the biggest in 2017? Mercedes' or Renault's? AFAIK, Honda's unit was bigger than the 2016 package, but retained the status as the smallest unit on the grid, and Ferrari's unit went on a serious diet during 2016, and their 2017 car was very skinny by the engine bay. Renault used to have the bigger package, but did they have that during 2017 aswell?
Kean
Posts: 692
This should mean that McLaren will have similar problems. Granted that McLaren is the bigger team, so they have bigger resources to adapt their car to the Reanult PU. I predict that Toro Rosso will find themselves at the back of the grid next season, not only because of the Honda PU but also because of the above mentioned problem. The McLaren car seemed to be quite good, but I don't think they'll be able to integrate the Renault PU as well as Red Bull, so I think the best McLaren can hope for next year is 4th position. But I would love it if I'm wrong on that score.
krommenaas
Posts: 155
From the Bouillier interview it seems they're not having much problems. But yeah it would be a big surprise if they could match Red Bull despite having to make this adaptation to a new engine.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Thats nice, but I rarely trust Boullier. Remember how he said the Honda unit for 2017 was amazing, before the testing even had begun?
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Would love it if Honda suddenly becomes really competitive.
denis1304
Posts: 284
I have shoehorn, if they need one...
f1dave
Posts: 782
and I will contribute a hammer and some grease.
Barron
Posts: 625
Hey Tori Rosso guys! Here’s a clue, I think it goes in the back..?