Honda will supply only McLaren until 2016
Present at the Friday press conference during the Chinese Grand Prix, Honda, through one of its representatives, explained the motivations behind this return and revisited the issue of engine supply.
Present for the first time, officially, in the paddock since its withdrawal at the end of 2008, Honda, through its representative, Yasuhisa Arai, was able to speak about its return during the Friday press conference in Shanghai.
The question first arose regarding the motivation of the Japanese engine manufacturer to enter the battle once again: « One of the major reasons for our decision was the new regulations introduced this year and the various […] green technologies in the new hybrid engines, as well as the total energy management, which are significant and challenging elements. »
« The new rules encourage each engine manufacturer to pursue the ultimate efficiency in combustion and high-pressure direct injection, as well as many, many new technologies. Thus, the challenge is to transform every unit of fuel into energy, and this is expected to be replicated for mass production, » he explains.
Honda will install a factory in Milton Keynes, Great Britain: « We will open it in June this year. Currently, it is still under construction but this factory will be intended for engine maintenance and [their] reconstruction, as well as for going on the track. »
When asked about the evolution of engines over the seven years, Y. Arai explains: « It’s a strange feeling because our door to 2015 is not yet open. There are three major areas for achieving good efficiency. The field of technology. One concerns the combustion itself: the design of the combustion chamber; another is how to recover energy, which is very important for these new rules and, finally, torque management. Positive or negative torque is very important for making a car good, fast. »
On the question of partnership, there was some ambiguity regarding a possible exclusivity with McLaren. Without stating it clearly, it is explained that a new partner will not be possible before 2017: « For 2015, McLaren is our only customer. I am not thinking about the future, because we want to focus on the next season. Obviously, we want to have good results next season and see the results of other engine manufacturers. If teams want to use our engine, we can supply them after 2016 but for now, there is no program. »
