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Gasly thinks Honda could surprise in 2018

Published on 22 Dec 2017 14:00
21
By: Fergal Walsh

Pierre Gasly believes that it is possible Honda will surprise the motorsport community next year with its engines. The Japanese squad will power Toro Rosso next year after its three-year run with McLaren came to a close.

The disastrous campaign between McLaren and Honda left the Woking based team without a podium and a best finish of sixth in the constructors' standings (2016). McLaren will take on Renault power units next year, while Toro Rosso has worked a deal with Honda.

Lack of pace and unreliability has plagued Honda ever since its return to Formula 1 in 2015. Some believe that Toro Rosso will be reduced to a backmarker team next season due to the alliance with Honda, but Gasly, who will pilot one of the Toro Rosso's, is not so sure.

"Their goal is to prove to everyone that they can make fast engines," Gasly told GPUpdate.net. "We are the only ones to have their engines, so we're sure they'll give everything they can to give the best treatment and there will be no compromise.

"I think this is positive thing, they will have an extra three or four months to improve before the beginning of the year. At the moment they are definitely improving; when you look at the McLarens, they are much better now [at the end of the season] than like six months ago.

"If they manage to keep this momentum I think it will be a good move and I think it will surprise everyone in a nice way, so let's hope it can happen. I'm not expecting a Brawn GP season but maybe it could be a surprise and it'll be really nice to see it!"

Fergal Walsh

F1 News Pierre Gasly McLaren Renault Brawn GP Honda

Replies (21)

boudy

Posts: 1,168
why not ...
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- Dec 22 2017 - 16:11
- ENDR
  
  Posts: 43
  Because 2015-2017.
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  Dec 22 2017 - 16:33
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Honda has had similarly miserable situations in other series and has managed to change it completely midseason. I dont see why they could do it here. 'sides, their 2016 unit wasnt bad, in fact that year Renault and Honda had fewer engine related retirements than Ferrari and Mercedes. Underpowered for sure, but far from bad.
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  Dec 22 2017 - 17:21
- BENNY DONKER
  
  Posts: 1,976
  Suppose you mean: 'I don't see why they could NOT do it here'
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  Dec 22 2017 - 22:35
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
"Lack of pace and unreliability has plagued Honda ever since its return to Formula 1 in 2015." Lack of pace for sure, but when it comes to lack of reliability 2016's stats begs to differ.

I dont think Toro Rosso will be able to utilize all of the benefits that come with the Honda unit, most importantly the ability to produce a leaner chassis. What I think will be a nice change is the more constant stream of updates and better supply of spares. Do I think they will be a backmarker? No, but its a competitive grid at the moment, so they could be in the bottom ranks, depending on how good their car is and on how much Honda improves.
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- Dec 22 2017 - 17:28
- boudy
  
  Posts: 1,168
  I am not so sure. Looks like they traced the root of the issue down to the oil elements of their unit. Once they get on top of that issue they will be able to move forwards. I believe that all the F1 engines will converge within the next 2 years to the similar performance levels. Redbull's facilities will allow them to test their engines in a way that they were not able to-do with mcLaren.
  
  We also don't know if they installation of the McLaren chassis had some issues.
  
  The bigger issue for STR is that their driver line-up is unproven so they will have more challenges with that. So being at the back of the field will not only be caused by their PU but more so influenced by the their driver line-up.
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  Dec 22 2017 - 17:40
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Problems with that system can either be pretty easy or very difficult to fix, if memory serves me. Time will tell, I guess. I think Honda can be more willing to cooperate with Red Bull, I think they have the right attitude about it.
  
  AFAIK, they fixed integration issues at the beginning of the season, unless McLaren is lying.
  
  Yeah, thats the part that has me a bit concerned. But speed traps and reliability record will show if the engine is sound.
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  Dec 22 2017 - 18:30
mcbhargav

Posts: 1,332
yep, if they perform well everyone would be surprised!
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- Dec 22 2017 - 17:43
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  I wouldnt, I saw what Honda did this year in Super GT, but I wont be holding my breath for it.
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  Dec 22 2017 - 18:30
Bhurt

Posts: 320
As long as Toro Rosso beats McLaren I'm happy :)
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- Dec 23 2017 - 00:09
- Barron
  
  Posts: 625
  I don’t think that’s going to happen, so make sure you have your Man Size Kleenex handy in 2018.?
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  Dec 23 2017 - 10:24
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Not likely. Still, wouldnt that be the ultimate insult.
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  Dec 23 2017 - 10:37
f1ski

Posts: 726
Gassy and Hartley are there as the two aren't the fastest available in the RBR stable. This makes me believe the expectations are low for the honda. However the RBR/TR organization know to make things work. RBR had better reliability than the works team. Was this because the TAG branding allowed them freedom to map the power unit themselves?
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- Dec 23 2017 - 14:05
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  The TAG branding only allow one thing: the branding. Its a Renault homologated engine, as such, design, upgrades, spare parts and such are all from Renault. Neither Red Bull nor TAG are allowed to change the design. AFAIK, they had a similar amount or retirements, but Max and Palmer retired more times than their team mates. Similar thing in McLaren: Alonso retired at least 9 times due to engine issues compared to Vandoornes maximum of 6.
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  Dec 23 2017 - 14:51
ajpennypacker

Posts: 2,475
Yes Honda could surprise. They surprised me in 2016... With how bad the engine was still.
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- Dec 23 2017 - 17:39
renaultFanF1

Posts: 80
Substitute "believes" and "thinks" with "hopes" and you have something there.
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- Dec 23 2017 - 18:52
Ram Samartha

Posts: 1,172
The way we know that it will be better is because Alonso isn't going to be using it. With the history of his track record of making the right decisions, it's a given that Honda will be better than the engine he gave up.
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- Dec 23 2017 - 23:50
- Ram Samartha
  
  Posts: 1,172
  Meant engine he is going to, of course. I'm a big fan of Alonso and his driving, but not his decision making.
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  Dec 23 2017 - 23:52
boudy

Posts: 1,168
If redbull sign on with Honda for their Toro Rosso team then they must have seen what was going on. I am still not sure if McLaren did the right thing. Next year will tell....
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- Dec 23 2017 - 23:54
Barron

Posts: 625
Its quite strange. At first I didn’t want McLaren to dump Honda but the continuous DNF’s got me down and thought perhaps Renault move was ok. But towards the end of the season, I kind of got the impression that Honda had made a giant stride, so I’m back thinking McKaren may have done it all wrong. Hope I’M wrong!
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- Dec 24 2017 - 10:56
Barron

Posts: 625
*McLaren* Fat Fingers!
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- Dec 24 2017 - 10:59