lebesset wrote:
thanks for that andy , a very clear explanation of the position , not just for renault but possibly for the others as well [ one particularly thinks of honda ]
I have to admit I wasn't aware of the position for fitting uprated parts for reliability ..that's a bodyblow !
can I presume that , when it comes to extra units [ and there are clearly going to be some ] , as many reliability upgrades as required are permitted ?
how about starting a poll for how many units honda end up using this year ...into double figures maybe ?
Yes Honda is pretty much in the same boat as Renault. However, Honda has different goals and approached the season very differently.
While Renault was in the position to choose whether or not they run parts which could pose a risk, Honda made the calculated choice to put the bulk of the development last year on performance and not on reliabiity, because Honda was very much limited by time. Hence they knew before the season started they'd probably be picking up penalties latter on, even though they try to avoid it.
Renault on the other hand took a risk which did not paid off.
For updates, being either reliability or tokens, you are allowed to introduce as many updates as you want (of course if your tokens are all used up, that options drops away). However, the components you change through these updates, need each time to get a new allocation.
In a most ideal way, you'd want to do both reliability updates and token updates in one change, and right after the previous allocation did its mileage. Since you are applying both types changes at once, you only need to use one new allocation. Mercedes and Ferrari are currently in that position. However, Renault obviously cannot wait until Spain to introduce reliability upgrades. They need them now, and the token upgrades will not be developed yet, meaning they can't do both in one allocation.
An exception would be of course if the reliability issues for instance are solely down on the ICE, while the tokens are applied on the mgu-k.
@Harsha: Mercedes basically can play the waiting game. However, I previously was under the impression that they could save the tokens until the very end of the year, not even racing them and instead using them in tandem with the 2016 tokens (you'd be effectively saving up extra tokens for 2016). However, I now believe that is not possible. Tokens are only used if they are effectively applied on a power unit that is afterwards used. If they don't race the tokens in 2015, they'll loose them.
A smart way could be to go the last race, introduce 5th allocations of the components with the tokens, collect the penalty and switch back to the 4th allocations. This way they can design a 2016 power unit that would break down with just the tokens of 2015, yet would greatly be of advantage in tandem with the 2016 tokens. Mercedes will probably have the title in the bag before the last race, so they aren't really loosing out with collecting that penalty.
