Honda planning a radical engine redesign after F1 token system is scrapped
Honda will alter the configuration of its Formula 1 engine for this year, following the scrapping of the FIA’S restrictive development token system.
Honda has pioneered a ‘size zero’ concept since its return to the sport in 2015, but had fought a constant battle to make up ground to pack leader Mercedes amid a string of performance and reliability issues.
Honda’s original design ran a split turbo and compressor within the confines of its V-bank V6 engine. In contrast Mercedes’ design has its compressor at one end of the engine and turbine at the other. Honda is said to favour this style of design.
Mclaren technical director Tim Goss confirmed that the Honda engine the team will use this year will be very different as the firm has been given the freedom to heavily alter the design.
“The token system that was applied to engine development has been discontinued, so for 2017 the Honda engine architecture and layout have been altered to serve for both performance and packaging needs,” said Goss.
“The new power unit takes much of the learning from the past two seasons, but has been specifically redesigned for this year.”