- McLaren
Don't underestimate Honda's technological muscle - Arai
Honda F1 boss Yasuhisa Arai has warned his rivals that his company has been conducting extensive research into turbo and hybrid engines ahead of its return to the grid with McLaren next year.
Honda was lured back to the sport by F1's new power unit regulations six years after it sold its F1 operation to Ross Brawn at the end of 2008. The latest generation of V6 turbo engines and energy recovery systems use very different technology to Honda's previous F1 engines, but Arai says his company has conducted extensive research in those areas since it was last in F1.
"We always wanted to return to Formula One," he said. "We learned a lot in the underground and this regulation is much more suitable for our job. Honda has already developed a lot of hybrid systems and we have many, many experiences in that. Also, downsizing and using a turbo with direct injection, we learned in-house with a mass-production car.
"So we have lots of great technology already, I feel. The new regulations are environmentally friendly with high synergy, so that is our comeback reason. Maybe we have a good result in the next year."
Honda's first public test with McLaren did not go to plan this week after its interim car completed just five laps in two days in Abu Dhabi. But with a winter to solve the issues, Arai warned told not to underestimate the level of performance Honda can achieve right from the start of 2015.
"Next season is very important for us and we want to win always. Maybe you find out that we are doing very good preparation for the next season. So please have a good expectation."
Asked how different the new power unit would be by the time Honda resumes testing in Jerez, Arai said: "It's a very tough question. Today's engine [at the test] are of course not for the actual race and we are on schedule to develop ahead of the next coming season. We want to be on a good grid [position] in Australia."
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
