Th3GoodSon wrote:Hi all, fairly new here but I think there's something many of you are missing based on what Honda has said and so on. My background is in Project Management and I feel we're not giving that aspect of running a car enough thought here. Let me explain what I mean!
Firstly, yes this test must have been a disappointment to them and I'm sure they would like to have done laps. However going on about 'running it in Woking' misses a big point as to WHAT has gone wrong here. As we are led to understand the issue has been with data sensors, the installation of systems, the remote telemetry and numerous other important integration issues. When testing this car they're not just looking at mechanical reliability. In fact I can see no evidence there was a MECHANICAL or even ERS failure - rather a failure in communications and processes.
Honda has been out of F1 for a while and McLaren as an outfit has been working with Mercedes all year (and for many years previously). As well as getting an engine to run both groups need to work TOGETHER in the garage, on the track and off the track. You cannot accurately simulate that in Woking and even in Silverstone, at least not to the level of flying all your staff out to a foreign country in a non-idea garage and making things work. What Honda and McLaren have learned here and what they cannot adequately learn back in the UK is where the meshing between technicians, mechanics and management break down. Mistakes have been made. More then any of us would have liked to see. But you can bet they sure as hell have been paying attention to every mess up, slip up, miss-installed part and communication (even LANGUAGE BARRIER) problems they have experienced.
Our 'proof' of Honda and the engine will come in February. We know it doesn't catch fire (see filming day) but we have no idea if it's good or bad because the issues faced have not been with the engine, but rather how the engine is handled by the support team around the engine. I'm not happy, but I'm no sad and I sure as hell am glad they've found all these problems BEFORE February!
I agree with you 100%. I wish I could up-vote you on this (the Mods don't allow me to
). It flew over peoples' heads that this test is not just to see if the engine blows up. It's a test of the integral systems. Communications back to the Honda factory most of all. Since Mercedes is gone, Mclaren and Honda have to build the communications backbone all over again. The engine works. They know that. The ERS works. Nothing new to Honda. But what about the live up-link to the other side of the globe? If the engine hiccups will the guru's in Japan see it? Now that's what these guys are testing.
