Honda Plan Special Engine for China

The Japanese company is aiming to break the 1000bhp barrier with the engine it wants to introduce for the Chinese Grand Prix.

The fact that the Shanghai event is the final race of the season means that Honda can focus all-out on performance because there will be no need to make the engine last for two races.

Otmar Szafnauer, vice-president of Honda Racing Development, told Autosport: "It's too much to say that 1000bhp is likely, but it's possible.

"There have been several occasions where the introduction of a single new technology has resulted in a big power gain and you never know when there's one around the corner."

Honda's hopes of introducing the engine for China will depend on it getting through the previous Brazilian and Japanese Grands Prix without problems.

The annual 'Suzuka Special' will be used at these events in a bid to bring extra performance on the engine manufacturer's home soil.