Honda explains engine direction

Asked about the new engine in Montreal, Jordan driver Giancarlo Fisichella said: "We tried it at Silverstone and the power was the same but the driveability wasn't as good, so we're not using it yet."

Otmar Szafnauer, vice-president of Honda Racing developments, expanded on the situation in Montreal, saying: "There is an upgrade here but it isn't a completely new engine. We were able to improve the engine we started the season with and improve on the Austria-spec qualifying engine to the point where we met our Canadian Grand Prix performance targets with that engine. Therefore we had a choice coming into Canada and we opted to use the previous engine and continue to develop that rather than introduce the new one that is still in its infancy of development. You will see that engine shortly."

Honda has pressed ahead with the new engine as both Jordan and British American Racing struggle for power compared to the top teams in F1.

"It's quite a task to produce an engine mid-season and it's quite difficult to produce that engine, test it a week before the race introduction and have it all go well," Szafnauer said. "We were fortunate to have developed in two routes. One continued to develop the engine we started the season with, at the same time introducing an all-new one, so we had the option for this Grand Prix."

He added: "Honda is here for the long run and they are keenly aware that they haven't met the world's expectations yet but we are working hard with our two teams to do so."