2018 Scuderia Toro Rosso F1 Team - Honda

[NathanOlder]

Yeah , I stick to my original claim, plus Lewis lost 3 races where he was very likely to win, Spain, Singapore and Abu Dhabi. Down to the team and reliability. So yes, The Mp4-27 was certainly the fastest car over the year.

[HPD]

The Toro Rosso Formula 1 team will face a reshuffle of its aerodynamic department following the departure of Brendan Gilhome, its head of aero.
Gilhome joined Toro Rosso in July 2013, having previously also worked as principal aerodynamicist at Mercedes and group leader of aerodynamics at BMW Sauber.

The Australian worked closely with technical director James Key in developing Toro Rosso's recent contenders, and had been focused for several months on the Honda-powered STR13.

The reasons for his departure have not been revealed by the team, nor has it been confirmed whether deputy head of aerodynamics Ben Mallock will step up to replace Gilhome or someone else will be brought in to take over his responsibilities.

There will also be a change of race engineers this year too, with long-time Carlos Sainz Jr engineer Marco Matassa having moved to Ferrari over the winter to work with its young driver development programme.
https://www.eurosport.com/formula-1/tor ... tory.shtml

[McHonda]

its last WCC was in 1999, last WDC in 2008. The facilities in Woking are excellent but it hasn't produced a top car for nearly 10 years.

Totally agree with all that you're saying, just going to point out it was 1998 the last time they won the WCC, and they have had top cars in the last 10 years,

2010 they had a shot at the drivers title going in to the last race of the season, If they had a No1 & No2 driver, they probably would have won that title.

2012 they had THE BEST car of the season it was regularly the fastest car, but again, not having a No1 & No2 driver DID cost them a WDC Title.

So its not fair to say the have'nt produced a a top car for nearly 10 years.

You sure they had the best car in 2012. They had a great driver line up and finished behind both Res bull and Ferrari in the constructors championship and Kimi in his lotus finished above both drivers in the driver championship. Also only won the same amount of races as the red bull did. Not exactly best car

Quickest certainly but best is a stretch I'd agree because of that unreliability. I'm sure I read Lewis alone lost over 100pts. Should have had at least 3 more wins and they missed out in the WCC because of the unreliability on Lewis's side and JB's mid-season set up black hole adventures.

A little like 05 but with more team mistakes (Pit and strategy) as well as the unreliability.

[Manoah2u]

Good news for Toro Rosso, they won't be dead last!

[NathanOlder]

Totally agree with all that you're saying, just going to point out it was 1998 the last time they won the WCC, and they have had top cars in the last 10 years,

2010 they had a shot at the drivers title going in to the last race of the season, If they had a No1 & No2 driver, they probably would have won that title.

2012 they had THE BEST car of the season it was regularly the fastest car, but again, not having a No1 & No2 driver DID cost them a WDC Title.

So its not fair to say the have'nt produced a a top car for nearly 10 years.

You sure they had the best car in 2012. They had a great driver line up and finished behind both Res bull and Ferrari in the constructors championship and Kimi in his lotus finished above both drivers in the driver championship. Also only won the same amount of races as the red bull did. Not exactly best car

Quickest certainly but best is a stretch I'd agree because of that unreliability. I'm sure I read Lewis alone lost over 100pts. Should have had at least 3 more wins and they missed out in the WCC because of the unreliability on Lewis's side and JB's mid-season set up black hole adventures.

A little like 05 but with more team mistakes (Pit and strategy) as well as the unreliability.

Yeah I think Lewis would have won in Spain as he put it on pole but didnt have enough fuel so was sent to the back, Maldonado started on pole and won, Singapore he was out front and cruising when he broke down, Abu Dhabi again he was out front and broke down, then in Brazil he was out front and Hulkenberg spun into him, So he lost 96pts there, plus that would have put Vettel back 14 points, So with those problems he lost 110pts in the title hunt,and finished 91pts back. All those problems were nothing to do with car performance, so I feel the Mclaren was just the best package.

Anyway, back on topic, Toro Rosso could be thinking, we have a chance at beating WIlliams this year!

[godlameroso]

One key difference between McLaren and Red Bull is Red Bull doesn't make road cars, and I'm guessing Honda being a car maker as well could have used some of the chassis information, which is why McLaren maybe wouldn't divulge certain details. It's understandable but unfortunate, it's also water under the bridge at this point, this may end up benefiting all parties in the end.

[restless]

TR chief of aero department Brendan Gilhome left... not a good sign

[etusch]

Prodromu or whatever his name, were signed for mclaren. This were good sign for mclaren at first sight. But where is the benefits ? Isn't there any other aero man out there ? Is he Newey ? Then no problem.

[HPD]

It is incredible as many media (mainly Spanish). They watch TR Honda at the end of the grid.

In 2017 TR already had a good advantage over some rivals. This "advantage" should not disappear so easily..

[Singabule]

More RBT involvement means less freedom, could lead to dual leadership. Such an uncomfortable environment, even though budget soaring from honda, he is still leaving

[HPD]

Franz, after Cosworth, Ferrari and Renault the Scuderia Toro Rosso 2018 works for the first time with Honda. What are your expectations for the new season?
For the first time in the history of Toro Rosso, we work exclusively with an engine partner. This offers a completely new approach and starts with the design of the new chassis. For example, we were able to design the placement of the drive unit in accordance with the designers' ideas. This is something quite different from the earlier "eat or die".

Toro Rosso is also much more involved in the whole development process. We have already completed countless test bench trials with the transmission in order to optimize various polls. Of course, the season is a tough challenge, but we accept it gladly.

But many fans are worried. Honda has had major challenges with stability and engine performance over the last three years as a McLaren partner. What gives you confidence in the Honda project?
Nobody will disagree when I say: Honda offers a fantastic infrastructure. There are also very clever and highly motivated technicians. The shortcomings of the past are recognized, and everyone is about to eliminate them.

The number of engine parts will be further reduced for 2018. In 2018, only three internal combustion engines are permitted, three MGU-Hs, three turbochargers, but only two MGU-Ks, two batteries and two control units. What does that mean for you?
That depends primarily on how Honda keeps durability under control. But clearly, it will not be easier. This reduced number of units will give us a bit of a headache.

Japan has a very different corporate and communication culture than a European country. How does this affect working with Honda? How should we imagine cooperation with an engine partner located on another continent with eight hours time difference?
To better understand Japanese culture, we organize special seminars for our employees that are received with great interest. We all know that Japan has its own culture and it is one of the really exciting challenges to synchronize its and our culture. But if we were not convinced that this could succeed, we would never have embarked on this project.

Sometimes there are quite unexpected benefits. You're talking about the time difference - which has so far proven to be primarily positive. If our technicians have questions, send them to Japan in the afternoon, and they'll have the answers the next morning. What more do you want?

It was not until mid-September that it was clear that you would be using Honda engines in 2018. Previously, the plan was actually to drive with the rear of the Red Bull Racing racer. How difficult was it to change the engine relatively late?
We rarely had a decision so early. I recall that two years ago the decision to change to the Ferrari was not decided until December, yet we managed the timely completion of our cars for the following season. The use of our own gearbox has simplified the process.

In which areas can Toro Rosso benefit from Honda's vast resources - beyond the engine?
Collaboration with such a reputed company will increase the visibility and the number of fans of Toro Rosso. I am convinced that this will help with the sponsorship search.

How is the structural and personnel development of the Scuderia Toro Rosso going?
The structure of the team stands. The number of employees also provides a healthy basis for a successful future.

http://www.speedweek.com/formel1/news/1 ... Honda.html

[dren]

The culture seminars is interesting. I've always read that it was on the PU maker to conform to the F1 culture.

[godlameroso]

I've said it before, Honda has all the leverage in this relationship. That and the fact Red Bull wants Honda to succeed, and it makes sense that they'd collaborate closely. We don't have to play PR here, we've known all along that both Honda and McLaren were stubborn during their time together. The Honda engine will be much closer to the others than it's ever been, testing is right around the corner, so we shall see.

[etusch]

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/the- ... in-996628/

is there anyone who can share with us this article

[Squid]

https://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/the- ... in-996628/

is there anyone who can share with us this article

Won't share it word for word, the article is 90% stories from Honda's past in racing. The gist of it is that Honda has a tremendous history of doing things nobody else has done and then learning the hard way the reason why nobody had done it, but also that when Honda's creativity and willfulness to do their own thing pulls them in the right direction, they often strike gold, as seen with the first McLaren-Honda partnership and what would eventually become the BGP001. Honda prefers to fail, learn from it and find the good things that everyone else missed than to play it safe and just do what everyone else does.