Badger wrote: ↑04 Jul 2026, 12:21
Gillian wrote: ↑04 Jul 2026, 12:09
lio007 wrote: ↑04 Jul 2026, 11:02
That's so devastating...they didn't (presumably) win the engineering challenge but mastered the game on the green table. Another reason for me to dislike this team and Toto W.
It's highly likely CH would have used the media to the most to apply public pressure on FIA and F1 which would cause a lot of dislike for RBR from other fans. I'd guess RBR is applying pressure but more in a subtle way in the background which I prefer much more as it causes way less drama in forums and social media.
And I'd guess RBR never ever, even in their wildest dreams, thought to be on the sharp end of the ICE ranking. Basically they should be applauded and celebrated so much for that achievement if it weren't for this silly token restriction.
There were so much noise pre-2026 that e.g. Aramco has so much more experience and a big advantage with the fuel,
Merc being Merc and also Honda was expected to be very competitive as they had one of the best PU before.
Imagine RBR would have stayed with Honda and have to deal with their PU now... absolutely no chance Max would continue with RBR.
So it's been the right decision to build their own PU. I was very sceptical and pessimistic but they have proved me wrong at least for the most topics of the PU.
Well a lot of that is actually true if you take into consideration this ICE is the result of mostly (ex)-Mercedes and (ex)-Honda engineers. That's why the current Honda ICE/PU is terrible... it's designed and created by a different group of Honda personal. They had no choice because cutting the program meant a lot of the original personal was redistributed (outside of) Honda.
False. RBPT has a very small amount of ex Honda engineers. After Honda pulled out they were mostly re-assigned to other projects within Honda automotive. Recruiting Honda engineers is difficult because they are based in Japan, often only speak Japanese, and usually don't have an interest working outside of Japan. Honda's current struggles have nothing to do with RBPT.
The head honchos within RBPT are almost all ex HPP, as are many of the middle management. For obvious reasons this was a much easier recruitment pool for a new engine project based in the UK.
You say false and then repeat most of what I said... The current Honda PU/ICE is crap because most of the old engineers where gone. That is a fact. Some of them are at Red Bull, another fact. The current RB Ford PU is designed by ex Merc and ex Honda personal, fact. Sure small margin Honda, but Im not saying anything incorrect.