This was in the Honda engine thread
http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/form ... 64120.html
Interesting things said by Hasegawa. Namely that he admits a weak engine, and the car has more downforce than last year. He also goes on to say that the engine is weak because that is it's limit for reliability reasons. That in terms of outright performance they're probably .5 seconds off Mercedes just like Renault, but cannot achieve that performance because of reliability reasons. Also interesting that they say that if the power unit became more powerful that maybe McLaren would go a different direction with the chassis.
"How far Honda's gone?
Hasegawa: On the racetrack, we are about 1.5 seconds behind Mercedes. This gap we can not close only to the engine safely. I join Renault's opinion and would say that pure half a second from a performance point. But if this half a second coming, McLaren may also react with the vehicle concept, and the tires are lighter in their work area. The one helps then the other."
"The new turbocharger was a further step in this direction?
Hasegawa: Yes, exactly. The turbocharger is now there to generate more electric power and feed it into the drive. We are now retrieve as much electric power capable as permitting regulations."
Does this mean the MGU-H can send 120KW straight to the MGU-K without the ES being involved?
"If the 2017er engine an evolution or a revolution be?
Hasegawa: I will not say that we are building a completely new engine now. It's not all bad. In some areas we need to make adjustments. In others, we need a new concept."
Finally
"Is a podium finish this year still possible?
Hasegawa: No. Only with luck. Our realistic goal is to regularly finish in the points."