Honda is now “heading in the same direction” as their fellow engine suppliers in terms of power unit design, according to the Japanese manufacturer’s Formula 1 chief Yusuke Hasegawa.
McLaren’s engine partner used the removal of the tokens system, something put in place to try and lower costs, to overhaul the design of their power unit, believing the original concept had reached the end of its developmental potential.
However, that overhaul has led to a very difficult year for both Honda and the British team who currently sit bottom of the Constructors’ Championship with just a single points finish coming from Fernando Alonso in Baku.
“I would almost call this year one again,” Hasegawa admitted such was the difference in this year’s engine compared to that used last year. “But our aim is to develop the 2017 concept into the 2018 season and hopefully 2019 as well.
“The engine weight, centre of gravity and the combustion concept is all going in the same direction as the other three engine manufacturers.
“If we still had the token system we wouldn’t have been able to change the whole engine modification for this season and also introduce the Spec 2 and Spec 3 power units,” he added.
“I haven’t counted how many tokens it would cost so I don’t know for sure, but maybe it would be difficult to modify and introduce the current Spec 3 engine using last year’s token system.”
Despite the difficulties, which have led McLaren to consider ending their recently reformed partnership, Hasegawa is now sure Honda is and can now close the gap to their rival manufacturers.
“I am definitely confident that we are closing the gap to the leaders so, from that point of view, our speed of development is good. But at the same time, it is natural for the follower because you have a target that you know is achievable.
“We don’t stop developing, we need to keep updating and from that point of view we have already started next year’s design,” he added. “Of course the performance and results are the most important things but it’s all learning for the future too.”
