Honda returns to F1 in 2015

[FrukostScones]

so new NSX and P1 as company cars for the drivers... confusing. Acura McLaren Honda presents:

[FoxHound]

I can only quote myself because it is still true.

Honda back in the fold followed by Porsche would be great news. It would reward Todt's team for showing great patience and wisdom with the engine strategy.

Wait. Porsche coming back?

Fact is they aren't even remotely interested.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107007
Lack of road relevance cited.

So while you may want to beat your drum and trumpet it as true, I see it as factually incorrect and misleading.

And another thing, 1.6 Turbo or 10 litre V12....Honda would still be coming back. The void left by the McLaren Mercedes divorce created a vacuum that required filling. Neither Ferrari or Renault(defacto Red Bull) would be forthcoming with units.
Hence why it would an easier gap to fill by an incoming manufacturer with a desire to rekindle it's sporting past.
Let me just remind you that Honda axed pretty much all it's sporting lines in 2009 including the S2000 and the NSX successor which was mere months from launch.


Now Honda have remobilised, with big sporting intentions for their road car division. Including a new NSX...and an S2000 replacement(bout time) and some as yet unconfirmed projects.
Just 3 weeks ago I read a report from Honda CEO Takanobu Ito where he commended Toyota on their GT86(driven one...and stellar it is too) and going further saying that it is Honda's duty to live up to its own heritage.
And alot of that belongs in F1 WB.

Honda did not return due to 1.6 turbos, Jean Todt or the FIA. Honda returned because it suited them and their marketing strategy, and was ably helped by one of their former partners going through a divorce.

Fin

[morefirejules08]

Is it likely the Honda engine will be offered to other teams?

[agf1]

I think that it is obligatory by FIA that every engine maufacturer should supply at least 2 teams by 2014. If so, then yes.

[Richard]

They do need to have more teams to increase the data by running more engines at each race.

It looks like suppliers in 2014 will be:

- Renault - 4 teams - Red Bull, Lotus, Williams, Caterham
- Ferrari - 4 teams - Ferrari, Sauber, Torro Rosso, and possibly Marussia?
- Mercedes - 3 teams - Mercedes, Force India, McLaren

I guess Honda will be hoping to pick off one of the minor teams from Renault or Ferrari. So we'll have Merc and Honda with just 2 teams in 2015. Moseley forced a more even share to make Cosworth viable. I wonder if Todt or Bernie will do the same for 2015?

[turbof1]

According to autosport, an engine supplier is only obliged to deliver to a team if that team requests so, and if it isn't yet delivering to too many teams. So I do not think it is a prerequisite.

Also, mclaren does have a works deal with honda, so in other words the engine will be completely adapted to mclaren's chassis demands, but will also be deliverable to other teams.

Marussia might still be in the running for that, though they would have to bridge 1 year. I was thinking in the line of using limited v8's next year, like torro rosso used limited v10's back in 2006, the first year of the v8.

[Pup]

I think the problem for another team looking to buy Honda engines will be what to do next year, as other manufacturers may want them to sign multi-year deals.

[Trocola]

A red and white livery for McLaren Honda would be great but I doubt that it will happen unless another Japanese company with that colour scheme decides to make a bid for the tile sponsorship at McLaren. The power train contribution by Honda will not be enough for McLaren to determine the livery. They traditionally make a lot of money by selling the livery scheme to a title sponsor. So it will all depend of money how that will turn out.

Anyway, it is absolutely fabulous news we have received today and it will be welcome to all of the F1 fans. A true opportunity to celebrate which I for now intend to do for the rest of the day.

If Sergio Perez is still on the team, Carlos Slim's Claro company has red and white colours, so it could be possible

If Marussia still have the technical partnership from McLaren in 2015, it could be possible that they could use Honda engines too

[SilverArrow10]

I know im probably repeating what others have said. But doesn't this do damage to McLaren in the short term. No help from Mercedes next year and Honda being one year behind in development in 2015. Is McLaren's next title push really going to come in 2016? in 3 years time when Button is likely gone. Sounds like a bad time to change suppliers.

[ESPImperium]

They do need to have more teams to increase the data by running more engines at each race.

It looks like suppliers in 2014 will be:

- Renault - 4 teams - Red Bull, Lotus, Williams, Caterham
- Ferrari - 4 teams - Ferrari, Sauber, Torro Rosso, and possibly Marussia?
- Mercedes - 3 teams - Mercedes, Force India, McLaren

I guess Honda will be hoping to pick off one of the minor teams from Renault or Ferrari. So we'll have Merc and Honda with just 2 teams in 2015. Moseley forced a more even share to make Cosworth viable. I wonder if Todt or Bernie will do the same for 2015?

Data will be king, however its the fact that many of the suppliers will be running their V6T engines in LMP racing as well due to the regs for 2014 in LMP1 and LMP2 being more or less the same for petrol engines in the ACOs rules, in my summary below ill include another returnee.

My guess:

Renault (€20m-€24m a season) - Red Bull (Works), Toro Rosso, Caterham (Both with a Red Bull gearbox)
Mercedes (€15m-€18m a season) - Mercedes AMG (Works), Force India (Both with a Mercedes AMG gearbox)
Ferrari (€12m-€15m a season) - Scuderia Ferrari (Works), Marussia (Both with a Ferrari gearbox)
Honda (€14-€17m a season) - McLaren (Works), Lotus (Lotus Gearbox)
Toyota (€14m-€17m a season) - Williams (Works), Sauber (Williams Gearbox)

It will mean that the Tech side of things will be better for Red Bull as it means they can see how well their next generation are coming thru and also means that costs can be reduced at STR. Also the Caterham thing will be subsidised via the Renault/Alpine/Caterham thing.

Mercedes will have more data, as well as reduced costs for Force India.

Ferrari shall have a good non-direct competitor as well as a place for a driver if need be.

Honda will have two marque teams, and will drive them on as both teams will be giving detailed feedback as well, a key deciding factor i think.

As for Toyota, rumor has it they are looking for a way back in, but engine only as they want to win in LM24 and would want teams that could be on the way up. Also it would be a great way back into F1 if Totota bought Toto Wolffs shares.

[dren]

Honda will need to supply a second team on their return to the sport and the word in the paddock at the Spanish Grand Prix was that Sauber is top of the list. But as Honda’s engines are likely to be subsidised – or at least highly affordable – while other rival engine supplies, particularly Renault, are expensive, there is likely to be a scramble among teams to get the second supply.

Took that from the James Allen on F1 website. I stated it a few weeks back but got lambasted...

[Neno]

ESPImperium, i still dont understand why do you think Lotus will go on Honda engines? For me it more possible to Caterham, Williams will go on Honda's engine. Lotus have great connections with Renault, more precise Renault have with Enstone, even more then Red Bull Racing. Lotus have 25% discount on engines there, as Enstone factory of their former team and cooperation with people who worked even from Benetton era there. Bonds are not something you can throw it, specialy
when Lotus and Red Bull are their main advertisers with results, unlike Caterham and Williams.

As far as the rumours going about Lotus and Honda, well Lopez trying to get good price and deal for engines, as Renault
engines are most expensive.

[Pup]

Let's also not forget that McLaren might hold a veto on which other teams Honda may supply, similar to what they used to hold with Mercedes.

[FoxHound]

Let's also not forget that McLaren might hold a veto on which other teams Honda may supply, similar to what they used to hold with Mercedes.

Sauber have been mooted in the press as potential recipients of the Honda turbo. I think it will be on Honda's terms and not those of McLaren given McLaren's position of not being able to play any manufacturers of the other.
Could be wrong, but there is no question McLaren will be Honda's primary focus.

[wesley123]

Is The mcLaren - Marussia partnership still going on? If so Marussia might get those Honda engines.