Honda to retain same power unit concept in 2018

Honda will retain the same power unit concept in 2018 despite a difficult start to this season, head of F1 project Yusuke Hasegawa has revealed.

Following two disappointing years since its return to F1 as partner to McLaren in 2015, Honda made use of the removal of the engine token system to revise its power unit concept this season. While reliability and performance have been disappointing so far, recent upgrades have seen McLaren become consistent challengers for points and Hasegawa says the current concept provides major development potential for the future.

Related Stories

"We don't stop developing, we need to keep updating," Hasegawa told the Honda F1 website. "Of course the performance and results are the most important things but it's all learning for the future too. Compared to last year we needed to modify the engine concept, but next year we will keep the same concept.

"It's good that we can use the same concept because this year's development and improvement is directly connected to next year. So that means we don't need to stop the current development, and from that point of view we have already started next year's design."

With Hasegawa saying the new power unit concept effectively makes 2017 year one for Honda, the chief engineer is encouraged to see the gap to the front slowly coming down.

"I get excited when we bring an update, because it can lead to increased expectations of scoring points or similar. But still we need more from our other updates to catch up to the level of Mercedes and Ferrari.

"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."

Honda is currently contracted to supply both McLaren and Sauber next season, but there remains uncertainty over both deals. McLaren has been assessing its options after the poor start to the year but is understood to only have Renault as a realistic alternative option for 2018, while the Sauber contract has been under discussion following Monisha Kaltenborn's departure.