Honda to give McLaren new-spec engine after F1's summer break

Honda will roll out a new-spec engine after Formula 1's summer break as it focuses on increasing the power available to McLaren

The firm's motorsport chief Yasuhisa Arai is convinced its reliability issues are now a thing of the past, allowing a change of focus for how it uses its development tokens.

"I am confident our reliability problems are now behind us which means we can turn our attention to increasing power," confirmed Arai.

"After the summer shutdown our plan is to apply a new-spec engine using some of our remaining seven tokens.

"The most important area for us to concentrate on is the combustion.

"Current regulations require high efficiency of the combustion so we want to change the characteristic with the chamber design and intake and exhaust system layout.

"Another issue we will be addressing is reducing mechanical friction by changing the gear-train system along with the combustion.

"Not all of our upgrades will be in place for the Belgian Grand Prix; some parts will be applied for Spa and the rest during the weeks that follow."

Arai readily concedes he and Honda underestimated the challenge of returning to motorsport's top level.

"The sport has changed immensely since the McLaren-Honda 'glory days'," he added.

"The current technology is much more sophisticated and it is tough to make a good racing car.

"We knew it wouldn't be easy, but perhaps we didn't imagine it would be this hard.

"I certainly didn't imagine technology-wise what we would be facing, but I have complete confidence in the direction we have taken with our power unit.

"We needed to create something radical in order to beat the top teams, and that is our ultimate goal - to beat the best."

'DOMINO EFFECT'

He said the "domino effect" of problems in one area impacting on another had been particularly costly.

"If you try to harvest energy using the MGU-H, it puts a strenuous workload on the turbo," Arai said.

"When the turbo is under stress, it cannot do what it is supposed to do, which is to force more air into the engine, thus leading to decreased power output.

"This is the result of one component working against the others, instead of working together.

"These types of technical chain reactions which lead to vehicle stoppage were definitely more than we calculated, or more than we envisioned."

Despite the pressure McLaren's poor results have placed him under, Arai said he still had the Honda hierarchy's trust.

"Honda's development method is very different to Formula 1 and McLaren," he said.

"Of course I have big pressure on my shoulders - especially from the fans, the Honda board and my colleagues, but this is completely normal.

"I think I have what it takes to drive this project, but I can't decide my own future, neither can the media or McLaren board members.

"I hope to continue driving this project and I believe our board members trust me emphatically."

shares
comments

Marcus Ericsson now 'not just participating' in F1 with Sauber

Force India still hunting Red Bull for fourth in Formula 1 points

The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP

The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Alex Kalinauckas

The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP The factors for and against a Red Bull upset in F1’s Monaco GP

What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset

What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jonathan Noble

What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset What Aston Martin's Honda deal reveals about its true F1 mindset

Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?

Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Monaco GP
Matt Kew

Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari? Would Hamilton really be a worthwhile F1 investment for Ferrari?

Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience

Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jake Boxall-Legge

Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience Why the growing pains of F1’s cost-cap era require patience

Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?

Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
GP Racing

Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks? Has F1 gone too far with its sprint race format tweaks?

The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery

The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Alex Kalinuackas

The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery The crucial next steps for McLaren on its path to F1 recovery

The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades

The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Jonathan Noble

The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades The bigger answer Mercedes needs from its now delayed F1 upgrades

What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team

What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team

Plus
Plus
Formula 1
Emilia Romagna GP
Alex Kalinuackas

What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team What the lessons of 2013’s mid-year tyre change mean for F1 2023's dominant team

Subscribe