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Honda 'between Mercedes and Ferrari' with power

Published on 17 May 2016 12:47
5
By: Rob Veenstra

Honda is "clearly" making progress with its F1 engine, McLaren team boss Eric Boullier insists. The first year of the Anglo-Japanese collaboration in 2015 was disastrous, but Frenchman Boullier says Fernando Alonso's Q3 breakthrough in Spain was significant.

"By studying the data closely, we see that we are now somewhere between Mercedes and Ferrari with the power," he told Speed Week. "Progress is clearly felt by the drivers and also on the track everyone can see that we have become stronger. So we are on the right track," Boullier added.

Some of that progress may have been made through a tweak to the Honda 'philosophy', where until now the manufacturer has often appeared content to take its time in pushing towards the front. "Yes and no," Boullier said. "Honda has always had a good approach and is prepared to respond quickly. You can feel that everyone is working at full throttle. And the changes that were promised are coming. Honda president and CEO Takahiro Hachigo will be in Monaco," he announced.

McLaren does, however, appear unlikely to give in to mounting pressure - even from Honda - to allow the Japanese engines to be supplied to a customer team. "It is important that no team will be left without engines," said Boullier, referring to the tweaked rules for 2017 and beyond. "But in my opinion, there is no reason to say that Honda is able to supply engines to Sauber or Toro Rosso next year, although there is talk of that in the press. It will not happen," he added. (GMM)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527

This do sound like music to my ears, but sadly I have to say this doesnt sound realistic: had the Honda unit's output been between Ferrari and Mercedes, we'd seen a significant increase in competitiveness by now. This statement leads me to think of three options:

1. Boullier is talking nonsense.... [Read more]

1
May 17 2016 - 13:54

F1 News Fernando Alonso Ferrari Sauber Mercedes McLaren Honda

Replies (5)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
This do sound like music to my ears, but sadly I have to say this doesnt sound realistic: had the Honda unit's output been between Ferrari and Mercedes, we'd seen a significant increase in competitiveness by now. This statement leads me to think of three options:

1. Boullier is talking nonsense.
2. McLaren need to change their sensors or something:
3. The Honda unit does in fact produce this much power, but the chassis is bad.

I sadly lean towards the first option. But it is nice to see improvements from the McLaren camp.
- + 1
- May 17 2016 - 13:54
- FerrariRules
  
  Posts: 3,050
  I think option 1 also. Its all depends on how the data is read and interpreted.
  And I'm convinced that McLaren can still build a decent car.
  
  Option 2 would be crazy if that would happen in the 2nd year.
  + 0
  
  May 17 2016 - 19:45
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Yeah, I feel the same way. I doubt McLaren's current chassis is as perfect as they at times say, the drivers say a sorta different story, but its definitely a good chassis. Next year's McLaren car might be something to look forward to (with moderate expectations!).
  
  Option 2 is not implausible: sensors can interpret things differently depending on where you put them and can thus give off hard to read or even incorrect data. But I do not think that is likely, Im pretty sure both McLaren and Honda know how to place their sensors.
  
  In any case, they could very well be slightly ahead of Renault in terms of power, but definitely not ahead of Ferrari.
  + 0
  
  May 18 2016 - 14:08
mclarenfan1968

Posts: 1,027
Uh huh and I am Tupac Shakur.
- + 0
- May 17 2016 - 14:08
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  You are?! OMG can I have your autograph!?
  + 0
  
  May 17 2016 - 14:53