Honda Power Unit Hardware & Software

[bw1235]

Hi guys,

The Honda: This one sounds really different from all other, off course we know that after last weekends race, but I think it is very interesting. Especially at partial throttle, to "roar" sounds is very different and much louder than any other engine on the grid. And overall this engine sounds a bit more rough, than the others.

I don't think/expect that this is purely due to the fact the PU is not on its best yet, but because of something that Honda has made different to all other manufacturers. What do you think?

I'd speculate that they could be using a different firing order which may have the advantage of a more compact header setup that still preserves some scavenging benefits. And/or they may still be using a log style exhaust.

[SiLo]

I am starting to think that Alonso crashed the car and missed the first race because of what he knew about the development time to be competitive. I have a feeling that Alonso will not sit in that car until it can qualify in Q3. So expect Magnussen to be driving the first half of the season.

As for the PU. I think Honda is doing something very different to the other teams. I think the engine's mapping and programming is very granular and specific to each turn of each track, and it's this that could be causing problems. The engine doesn't seem to be able to run on environmental properties alone like load, air temp, etc. It's needs historical data from previous races, but unfortunately Mclaren doesn't seem to have much data from last year as it relates to the engine.

One question i have now is why was the engine detuned for Australian GP temperatures?
This sound like the body work is too tight, and the car could not manage the heat properly. If this is the case, then imagine the hotter races?

I very, very much doubt Alonso crashed on purpose.

[frosty125]

One question i have now is why was the engine detuned for Australian GP temperatures?
This sound like the body work is too tight, and the car could not manage the heat properly. If this is the case, then imagine the hotter races?

It is not just about the car packaging like the Red Bull last year it is about the packaging of the PU itself, it looks like they were so aggressive that they MGU-K is badly affected and that the charged air temperatures are getting too high. They can't just do a Red Bull and cut more holes into the car and increase radiator size (except the intercooler maybe). Interestingly Arai alluded that they could sort out some of the air inlet temperature issues with a new map.

Malaysia will be a huge challenge this year.

[SiLo]

It looks like a sensible layout to have to reduce powertrain width

[Tim.Wright]

http://www.formula1.com/content/fom-web ... medium.jpg

I am surprised that Honda did choose this layout of the turbo/MGU-H..
From the results of last year they should have made a better design. Either a copy of Merc or something similar.
Their design seems to be the worst from a thermal standpoint.
Is the seal they are having problems with in the MGU-H?

Aren't weiss and blau the colours of the bavarian flag?

[PlatinumZealot]

He must be white blue.

[GoranF1]

According to Mark Huges Mclaren were running 35% ERS during qualifying in order to stop two crucial sensors from overheating.
In race they run it slightly over 35% due to cooler temps.

[radosav]

According to Mark Huges Mclaren were running 35% ERS during qualifying in order to stop two crucial sensors from overheating.
In race they run it slightly over 35% due to cooler temps.

How much less horse power is that?

[Moose]

According to Mark Huges Mclaren were running 35% ERS during qualifying in order to stop two crucial sensors from overheating.
In race they run it slightly over 35% due to cooler temps.

How much less horse power is that?

104, but it's worse than that. Lack of KERS means the engine is much less efficient, and hence you end up doing a lot more fuel saving.

[FW17]

I dont think the IC engine was running full power either; if it was GOD help us.

Last year Merc ran Canada 2 nd half without K-ERS (160 hp off) yet they were not anywhere as slow as Mclaren

[Moose]

I dont think the IC engine was running full power either; if it was GOD help us.

Last year Merc ran Canada 2 nd half without K-ERS (160 hp off) yet they were not anywhere as slow as Mclaren

McLaren have acknowledged that their aero is not working very well at the moment (and in fact, worse than last year's car). Last year Merc ran Canada 2nd half with the best aero in the field

[frosty125]

I dont think the IC engine was running full power either; if it was GOD help us.

Last year Merc ran Canada 2 nd half without K-ERS (160 hp off) yet they were not anywhere as slow as Mclaren

McLaren have acknowledged that their aero is not working very well at the moment (and in fact, worse than last year's car). Last year Merc ran Canada 2nd half with the best aero in the field

That isn't true they actually say the aero balance if far better and far more consistent they just don't have same levels of peak down force as last year.

[jericho]

Just the last 2 laps Button drove some decent laptimes. What did he do to the engine settings??? Both laps were 1 second faster than he the times he drove before

[Moose]

Just the last 2 laps Button drove some decent laptimes. What did he do to the engine settings??? Both laps were 1 second faster than he the times he drove before

I'd bet on them being able to turn the engine up having saved enough fuel.

[jericho]

But that was the problem with overheating! When they turned up the engine, the thing overheated!