Official: Honda will be able to develop its V6 Turbo in 2015
The FIA has authorized Honda to develop its V6 Turbo during the 2015 season like Ferrari, Mercedes, and Renault. However, the engine manufacturer will not have as much freedom as the three manufacturers present in 2014, but this measure will ensure better equality among the four competitors.
The Honda brand, which is making its return to F1 this year alongside the McLaren team, has been allowed to develop its V6 Turbo as recently permitted to its rivals. Ferrari, Mercedes, and Renault were allowed by the FIA to develop their engine after finding a loophole in the regulations regarding the homologation date of the engine for 2015, but this excluded Honda, which then began discussions with the FIA.
It therefore seems that the negotiations have borne fruit since the Japanese engine manufacturer will be able to develop its engine within the limits imposed by the International Automobile Federation, of course. The FIA likely took into account Honda’s return, as they feared they would not be treated fairly.
The three current engine manufacturers can change up to 48% of the engine used in 2014 this year. This is defined by a certain number of components, which are related to the different parts of the engine depending on their performance. Out of a total of 66 components, 32 can be modified in 2015. Previously, Honda could not change anything following the homologation of its engine on February 28, but now the manufacturer will be able to change a certain number of components, calculated based on the components not used by its rivals before the first Grand Prix of 2015, which will take place on March 16 in Melbourne.
« If the three engine manufacturers from 2014 have eight, seven, and five unused elements respectively at the beginning of the season, then the new engine manufacturer will be allowed to use six during the season (the average rounded to the nearest), explains the FIA race director, » Charlie Whiting, as quoted by BBC Sport.
According to the British publication, there is little chance that the three engine manufacturers of 2014 will use all 32 possible development areas from the start of the season – especially Renault and Ferrari, which will allow themselves the possibility to change as many things as possible during the season. This could therefore allow Honda to have a significant number of modifiable elements.
