alexx_88 wrote:@diffuser: Sorry for misinterpreting your post in that case.
Regarding what you said, it seems that English-speaking senior personnel is at a premium at Honda. We don't know how the corporate dynamics in the PU department work at Honda (maybe Wazari can shed some light again), but I presume Arai was a respected leader, good engineer and it would've been hard to look any further than him when they chose the manager of the project.
Tbh, I rate him quite highly, he didn't have the time that the other manufacturers did and was forced to work mostly with engineers who had limited F1 experience, but, given the circumstances, they still produced a decent effort for the first year. The communication problem is quite serious I think, to the average F1 fan he now appears to have lost touch with reality after being reported as saying that they'll have a PU equivalent to Ferrari's and better than Renault's. Not to mention the other stuff from the first half of the season
Based on personal experience the scenario probably went something like this:
Coming from Ito, Arai, we have decided to enter the F1 arena again and you have been chosen to head up the project. Your pay will be 5 to 6 times its current level. You will live, breathe and eat F1. You will not sleep in your own bed nor see your family for more than 2/3rds of the year. You will work closely with McLaren and put out the best product possible. We have assembled a team of engineers and managers for you. Will you take the position?
Arai: Yes of course, I would be honored to....
Ito or one his staff, BTW, we're going racing in 2015....
Arai, with a smile on his face, "I look forward to the challenge..." Deep down he's thinking, how in the hell are we going to pull this one off???
The corporate structure at Honda as with must other Japanese companies is very rigid. Responsibilities are clearly defined and you are expected to go way beyond your own responsibilities. This resolve is what has made companies like Honda achieve success in the past. This rigidness has also, IMO, hampered the creative process to a certain degree. I can't fathom Honda giving up on the F1 program after competing for only one season. That is simply not in their nature unless McLaren cuts them off and there are no other takers. I really believe Honda will rebound from this debacle of a season thus far. I also believe both McLaren and Honda are both to blame 50-50.