Two teams in '02, says Honda tech boss
Honda's Formula 1 technical boss Kazutoshi Nishizawa has stepped in to end speculation that the company would drop one its two teams for 2002, saying that British American Racing and Jordan would be powered by the Japanese V10s next year
Paddock sources maintain that Honda was looking to add extra focus to its quest to take on Mercedes, Ferrari and BMW by dropping a team.
The decision was expected to be based on the points situation after the Canadian Grand Prix earlier this month. However, Nishizawa was adamant that the status quo would be maintained.
"I don't understand why this rumour is circulating," he said in this afternoon's (Friday's) FIA press conference. "We will supply both teams next year. In fact we presented our 2002 engine to both teams in Malaysia and we already have had several meetings with them.
"We never planned to drop either team," he added.
Nishizawa said that Honda would not be averse to reducing engine capacity in the category - a view not shared by Mercedes motorsport boss Norbert Haug.
"From the safety standpoint, Honda would agree to reduce engine power by reducing engine capacity to 2.5-litres," said the Japanese.
But the Mercedes man countered, saying: "Our feelings are that we don't need to change anything because it doesn't contribute to lap times that much, or contribute to safety issues."
Previous article
Villeneuve: “I've no need for revenge”
Next article
Friday's Selected Quotes - European GP
The squandered potential of a 70s F1 underdog
A podium finisher in its first outing but then never again, the BRM P201 was a classic case of an opportunity squandered by disorganisation and complacency, says STUART CODLING
The other notable Monza escape that F1 should learn from
OPINION: The headlines were dominated by the Italian Grand Prix crash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who had the halo to thank for avoiding potentially serious injury. But two days earlier, Formula 1 had a lucky escape with a Monza pitlane incident that could also have had grave consequences
How Monza only added more questions to F1's sprint race conundrum
With two sprint races under its belt, Formula 1 must now consider its options for them going forward. While they've helped deliver exciting racing on Sundays, the sprints themselves have been somewhat lacking - creating yet another conundrum for F1 to solve...
Who should Alfa Romeo sign for 2022's F1 season?
OPINION: With Valtteri Bottas already signed up for 2022, all eyes are on the race for the second seat at Alfa Romeo next year. Antonio Giovinazzi is the current incumbent, but faces a tough competition from appealing short and long-term prospects
The "forced break" that was key to Ricciardo's Monza excellence
OPINION: Daniel Ricciardo has long been considered one of Formula 1’s elite drivers. But his struggles at McLaren since switching from Renault for 2021 have been painful to watch at times. Yet he’s recovered to banish those memories with a famous Monza win – built on a critically important foundation
How Verstappen is ruining his F1 title battle with Hamilton
OPINION: The Italian GP clash between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen followed a running theme in the 2021 Formula 1 title fight. Their close-quarters battles have often resulted in contact - and although Hamilton has shown a willingness to back off, Verstappen must learn to temper his aggression
Italian Grand Prix Driver Ratings
Two drivers produced maximum-score performances as, for the second year in a row, Monza threw up an unpredictable result that left several others ruing what might have been
Why Ricciardo was set for Monza F1 triumph even without Verstappen/Hamilton crash
The clash between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton was the major flashpoint the 2021 Italian Grand Prix will be remembered for. Yet by this point, race leader Daniel Ricciardo had already done the hard work that would put him in position to end his and McLaren's lengthy win droughts, on a memorable afternoon in Monza
