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Honda to base engine of Mercedes

Published on 09 Jan 2017 11:35
4
By: Fergal Walsh

Honda revealed recently that they would be revamping their engine for the 2017 season, changing their design and philosophy that they've been using for the past two seasons.

It has now emerged that the team will be using a split turbine and compressor concept previously used by the dominant Mercedes.

Although no details of the redesign have been revealed, sources have confirmed that Honda's F1 chief Yusuke Hasegawa has given the green light to move away from the compact 'size zero' concept that has been used for the past two years.

Honda have been struggling since their return to the sport in 2015 and will hope their new design gives them a boost to get McLaren further up the grid.

The turbo will be situated at one end of the engine while the compressor will sit on the other end. These two elements of he system will be joined by a connecting shaft which was also designed by Mercedes.

The manufacturer has also been focusing on improving the internal combustion part of the engine having made significant gains on the energy recovery side of the power unit in 2016.

F1 News Mercedes McLaren Honda

Replies (4)

calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Hardly surprising, Mercedes' engine works and is the best around, so its the only logical thing to do. 'sides, next year will not benefit a size zero concept that much, since the cars will be bigger anyway. A problem with a redesign like this could be new potential reliability problems, even if they can amend such problems pretty quickly thanks to the riddance of the token system.
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- Jan 9 2017 - 12:46
- mclarenfan1968
  
  Posts: 1,027
  Copying philosophies has never been a silver bullet for most. The engine and chassis dev go together. The same Mercedes engines powered more than just the merc benz team and that didn't get them anywhere close to Merc. RBR with a still poor Renault engine are doing far better, just goes to show Mclaren have a turd of a chassis to boot.
  
  If this ends up like 2015/2016 with blow ups and more of the same mediocre performance Alonso will switch on berserker mode while the rest of Honda do seppuku.
  
  I've got popcorn ready.
  
  Dis gon b gud.
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  Jan 9 2017 - 15:12
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  True, and I doubt Honda will directly copy them, but like Ferrari they probably take inspiration from it. I doubt they'd be allowed to directly copy the Mercedes unit anyway.
  
  McLaren definitely need a better package overall. Its good that they improved the ERS and that they had little issues with brakes, but aero, tyre wear and raw engine power were weak in 2016. I dont think we'll see the same spectacle as the one we had in 2015, and I hope Im right, but dont forget that in 2015 they had no chance of fixing it either, they at least have no tokens to take into consideration this year. It will no doubt be an interesting season, this one.
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  Jan 9 2017 - 19:45
Harryw

Posts: 107
Biggest thing McLaren needs is a top designer like Newey
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- Jan 10 2017 - 00:19