The fact they didn't have their latest pu on display shows they have something they didn't want people seeing so casually. Probably further refinements of the concept. New turbo, new intake plenum, further development of their cylinder head. Hopefully since it was scheduled for this year but pushed back to next it means it can be that little bit better developed.lio007 wrote: ↑10 Nov 2019, 17:46What are the main areas where Honda has to or can improve? Do they have to explore the grey areas more than they do now? On the other hand it may be not worth it to put a lot of effort and ressources into things that may get restricted from one day to the other.
AFAIK this year they were focussed on combustion and turbo-improvements.
I think we can assume they keep their architecture and it is reported that Honda is on the smaller side in terms of PU-size, so it's unlikely they can improve a lot in this regard.
Or they simply wanted to check durability of their existing PU's in the pool. Because one thing is clear: if they are fighting for the championship, they can't afford to exceed PU-allocations as defined by the regulations.godlameroso wrote: ↑10 Nov 2019, 19:53The fact they didn't have their latest pu on display shows they have something they didn't want people seeing so casually. Probably further refinements of the concept. New turbo, new intake plenum, further development of their cylinder head. Hopefully since it was scheduled for this year but pushed back to next it means it can be that little bit better developed.lio007 wrote: ↑10 Nov 2019, 17:46What are the main areas where Honda has to or can improve? Do they have to explore the grey areas more than they do now? On the other hand it may be not worth it to put a lot of effort and ressources into things that may get restricted from one day to the other.
AFAIK this year they were focussed on combustion and turbo-improvements.
I think we can assume they keep their architecture and it is reported that Honda is on the smaller side in terms of PU-size, so it's unlikely they can improve a lot in this regard.
I have zero doubt that Honda can now finish the season on a 3 engine allotment, as can Renault, Mercedes and Ferrari. The engines are evolved enough now that engines going pop is incredibly rare, most failures have been ancillaries, the main engine itself is almost bulletproof. Even this year, engine performance has started to converge, the power differential is nowhere near what it was in 2017, or 2018. I think that the difference in power units will be similar to the old V8's by next year.lio007 wrote: ↑10 Nov 2019, 20:26Or they simply wanted to check durability of their existing PU's in the pool. Because one thing is clear: if they are fighting for the championship, they can't afford to exceed PU-allocations as defined by the regulations.godlameroso wrote: ↑10 Nov 2019, 19:53The fact they didn't have their latest pu on display shows they have something they didn't want people seeing so casually. Probably further refinements of the concept. New turbo, new intake plenum, further development of their cylinder head. Hopefully since it was scheduled for this year but pushed back to next it means it can be that little bit better developed.lio007 wrote: ↑10 Nov 2019, 17:46What are the main areas where Honda has to or can improve? Do they have to explore the grey areas more than they do now? On the other hand it may be not worth it to put a lot of effort and ressources into things that may get restricted from one day to the other.
AFAIK this year they were focussed on combustion and turbo-improvements.
I think we can assume they keep their architecture and it is reported that Honda is on the smaller side in terms of PU-size, so it's unlikely they can improve a lot in this regard.
I know the 5 PU's this year were not due to reliability concerns(at least officially) but for Performance reasons, but that's an area they definitely need to improve. Starting at the back caused by grid penalties makes it more difficult.
Nevertheless I'm a bit worried about the Merc-rumours. Apparently they found big chunk of performance in one of their single-cylinder concepts.
I wonder if Honda can make a similar step in the next couple of months.
I am not worried at all. Honda will bring a huge upgrade with the Spec 5.
I hope you're right. At least I haven't read any reports in terms of expected performance improvement for next years PU.
Did you really not read that?lio007 wrote: ↑10 Nov 2019, 22:11.
I hope you're right.
At least I haven't read any reports in terms of expected performance improvement for next years PU.
I read a lot of content around RBR. But right now I can't remember specific statements from Max, Dr. Marko, CH or Tanabe-san. I can remember a post from Wazari-san stating another spec-PU would be race-ready but is not used for whatever reason. Is this PU-spec a huge improvement, I don't know.
I think Wouter meant, "you won't read it, because they aren't always giving us all the details"lio007 wrote: ↑10 Nov 2019, 23:33I read a lot of content around RBR. But right now I can't remember specific statements from Max, Dr. Marko, CH or Tanabe-san. I can remember a post from Wazari-san stating another spec-PU would be race-ready but is not used for whatever reason. Is this PU-spec a huge improvement, I don't know.
Unfortunately they are not allowed to try it in the post Abu-Dhabi test, because AFAIK only raced specs (PU and chassis+bodywork) are allowed to be run. At least this has been the case (as far as my memory is right) in 2018.
When they introduced the Spec 4, Tanabe and Asaki said the combustion style was the main change but there is scope for further improvement and they will keep pushing. So it sounds like they are confident in further development for future iterations. Tanabe was asked about introducing even a Spec 5 this year and he "possibly, that depends on whether it will be ready in time and the PU plan we have for both teams for years end".lio007 wrote: ↑10 Nov 2019, 23:33I read a lot of content around RBR. But right now I can't remember specific statements from Max, Dr. Marko, CH or Tanabe-san. I can remember a post from Wazari-san stating another spec-PU would be race-ready but is not used for whatever reason. Is this PU-spec a huge improvement, I don't know.
Unfortunately they are not allowed to try it in the post Abu-Dhabi test, because AFAIK only raced specs (PU and chassis+bodywork) are allowed to be run. At least this has been the case (as far as my memory is right) in 2018.
Common enough mistake to make I suppose! Ross Brawn had the very same thing pointed out to him, 2013.Snorked wrote: ↑24 Oct 2019, 14:27Asaki held a PU briefing before Suzuka
https://youtu.be/OIpCQE-de20
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