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[LRW]

Someone posted in the Silly Season thread that there are strong rumours about Honda already working at Woking. ......

Well that person is obviously very clever ......

[What's Burning?]

McLaren's contract with Mercedes is optioned till 2015.

Do you really think Honda wouldn't provide their engineers direct access to look and study engines McLaren has purchased from Mercedes?

[scotty]

The things that concern me are the fact that the previous Honda engines weren't the best, and the company's long-term commitment to the sport if they do come back.

The Honda V8's lacked power cause (supposedly) they observed the engine freeze much more strictly than some other manufacturers did. Toyota suffered the same fate. I don't think the Honda engines were unreliable or anything in 2007/8 either, although i can't really remember!

[What's Burning?]

Honda's two stroke engines are pretty reliable.

[CookinFlat6]

I think the rumours of Honda staff already at Woking is just the German press being naughty. After all they see Japanese technicians behind every single cabinet in every factory

What could they do before 2014 when Merc deliver the new engines anyways?

[Denthúl]

McLaren's contract with Mercedes is optioned till 2015.

Do you really think Honda wouldn't provide their engineers direct access to look and study engines McLaren has purchased from Mercedes?

I think there would be something specifically in the contract between McLaren and Mercedes (indeed, any engine supplier and customer) that disallowed this. It would be up to McLaren to decide whether or not they wanted to take the risk...

The things that concern me are the fact that the previous Honda engines weren't the best, and the company's long-term commitment to the sport if they do come back.

The Honda V8's lacked power cause (supposedly) they observed the engine freeze much more strictly than some other manufacturers did. Toyota suffered the same fate. I don't think the Honda engines were unreliable or anything in 2007/8 either, although i can't really remember!

It wasn't just power that they lacked, but consistency. The big comments that came from both Button and Barrichello when the Brawn car was fitted with the Mercedes engine was how much more driveable and predictable it was. Then there's also the supposed drops in power after each use, which were considerably high for both Honda and Toyota, although that could be down to the reason you mentioned.

I think the rumours of Honda staff already at Woking is just the German press being naughty. After all they see Japanese technicians behind every single cabinet in every factory

What could they do before 2014 when Merc deliver the new engines anyways?

Work with McLaren to determine the kind of dimensions that would be required for the 2014-onward spec? They could do a lot of work based on the WIP car in terms of how to package the engine, even if they're not able to test anything physically so far.

[What's Burning?]

There's a lot of data that an engine manufacturer would give their customer way ahead of time. cooling requirements, electronic systems requirements, transmission requirements etc.

[andrew]

Someone posted in the Silly Season thread that there are strong rumours about Honda already working at Woking. ......

Well that person is obviously very clever ......

Well kindly tell that persons bosses that.

[CookinFlat6]

There's a lot of data that an engine manufacturer would give their customer way ahead of time. cooling requirements, electronic systems requirements, transmission requirements etc.

But that would be for the 2014 spec car, stuff they should be discussing with Merc now. It would only make sense if McLaren had started work on the 2015 car.

Unless ofcourse Honda have a 2014 engine for McLaren and the team will announce it in the next couple of days

guess the 2014 to 2015 cars will be similar enough though, interesting times indeed

[Hammer278]

I'd like to see McLaren team up with Honda. How will this change their livery? Dun dun dun...

[bud]

Wonder what Jenson will think about being back with Honda

I'd like to see McLaren team up with Honda. How will this change their livery? Dun dun dun...

Orange hopefully, but not sure that will work with Vodafone rocket red.

[Denthúl]

Wonder what Jenson will think about being back with Honda

I'd like to see McLaren team up with Honda. How will this change their livery? Dun dun dun...

Orange hopefully, but not sure that will work with Vodafone rocket red.

I thought they were losing Vodafone sponsorship from 2014? Tango McLaren-Honda for 2015 could work, I guess.

[What's Burning?]

And then hire Senna? Of course it would all work!

[LewEngBridewell]

Wonder what Jenson will think about being back with Honda

I'd like to see McLaren team up with Honda. How will this change their livery? Dun dun dun...

Orange hopefully, but not sure that will work with Vodafone rocket red.

Would love a switch to orange. Much more heritage!

[Denthúl]

It would also bring some decent colour back to F1...