Honda is focusing on the single-lap performance of its engine as they look to build their win in Austria.
The Japanese manufacturer has continued to make strong gains since teaming up with Red Bull, as proven by Max Verstappen only failing to beat at least one Ferrari in a race once this season.
However, qualifying remains the Achilles Heel with the RB15 often on the third row and Ferrari and Mercedes still some way ahead in maximum power output.
“Yes, we see a bigger gap in qualifying compared to the others. In the race, we are still behind but not as much as in qualifying,” technical director Toyoharu Tanabe admitted via PlanetF1.
“So it means the next step we need to catch up is a qualifying mode or something, but it’s not easy.
“We keep developing, maybe in the next spec or update, but not the next race!”
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Following Honda’s first F1 win in 13 years, another story that has emerged surrounds their F1 future, with the company yet to commit beyond 2020.
And now it has been revealed that a possible switch to Formula E can’t be ruled out, as the all-electric series eyes a bigger footprint in Japan.
“Formula E is done inside of cities, as a street race, and it’s kind of like advertising using racing, rather than pure [traditional] racing,” Honda motorsport boss Masashi Yamamoto commented.
“As Honda, we have conversations with CEO Alejandro Agag. We are always keeping eyes on the category. We have announced our electric car already, which is going to be on sale in Europe soon.
“There are many Honda customers who are interested in our electric cars so it’s good to appeal to them.
“And there must be the technology we can take away from the races to the road cars. That’s the reason we have an interest.”
As was noted in the report, however, Formula E will have a full grid from Season 6 as Mercedes and Porsche join, meaning a current team would have to drop off for Honda to take their place.
