Honda insists its F1 project is rewarding
HONDA IS COMMITTED to Formula 1 because it is the best motorsport formula for learning about electrified technology and energy efficiency, according to the company’s technical director, Toyoharu Tanabe.
The Japanese car firm returned to the sport in 2015 with the Mclaren team, attracted by current F1 powertrain regulations specifying 1.6-litre turbocharged engines linked to two hybrid systems. But the firm has struggled to be competitive and has yet to score a podium. That led to a split with Mclaren and a new partnership with Scuderia Toro Rosso this year.
Despite its lack of success on the track Tanabe said the complexity of engine technology and strict limits on fuel and energy usage were providing useful lessons that will translate to future road cars. Tanabe said Honda’s F1 powertrain is close to reaching 50% thermal efficiency.
“One of the reasons we participate in F1 is the high efficiency and high technology of the current power units,” said Tanabe. “It’s a big challenge and we are learning things to apply to road cars. It’s not the exact same technology but the principles of lean-burn engines, high efficiency and kinematics apply to production cars.”
Manufacturers have flocked to the electric Formula E series in which Honda’s rival Nissan will compete this year, but Tanabe believes Honda can learn just as much about electrified technology in F1 as it gears up to launch its first pure electric car, the Urban EV, next year.
“Lean combustion, with less fuel usage, is environmentally friendly, and we can apply lean-burn technology to hybrids,” he said. “We’re learning about energy management and strategy, and we can apply those concepts to EVS.”