2017 Mclaren F1 Team - Honda

[Pierce89]

This could be a desaster for Liberty though - wait until Fred praises the V8 engines ... unless it's all part of their plan to get NA V6 / V8 engines back in F1....

Indycar engine is no longer a V8. It is a 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged, V6 engine. Has been for 3 years.

Actually since 2012, so this is the 6th season with the v6t.

[BosF1]

How does it benefit Mclaren that their star driver, who they pay millions a year, will not be driving at arguably the most important GP of the F1 calendar (especially for underpowered Mclaren) to instead par-take in a completely unrelated motorsport event?

Exposure for the McLaren brand. McLaren needs a title sponsor, Alonso needs another challenge.

Clearly I don't understand marketing because to me having your star driver actively not representing your brand at the most prestigious event for F1 is not positive exposure.

Well, the Indy 500 is one of the worlds biggest one day sport events in the world. I can't see that being a bad thing, also considering the US probably has a big potential market for sponsoring.

"It has been avouched to be the largest single-day sporting event in the entire world. Likewise, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway itself is regarded as the world's largest sporting facility in terms of capacity."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianapolis_500

[FW17]

Time lines of the deal is really interesting

Serious conversations started only after a dinner meeting at the Chinese GP

[fellowhoodlums]

You feel the move for Indy500 is all about a deal with Alonso. McLaren offer him this as an apology and in return gets his public commitment for the season.

[Selvariabell]

This could be a desaster for Liberty though - wait until Fred praises the V8 engines ... unless it's all part of their plan to get NA V6 / V8 engines back in F1....

Indycar engine is no longer a V8. It is a 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged, V6 engine. Has been for 3 years.

Actually since 2012, so this is the 6th season with the v6t.

And unlike in F1, the V6Ts are almost-universally loved by Indycar fans.

Why is that though?

[krisfx]

Indycar engine is no longer a V8. It is a 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged, V6 engine. Has been for 3 years.

Actually since 2012, so this is the 6th season with the v6t.

And unlike in F1, the V6Ts are almost-universally loved by Indycar fans.

Why is that though?

(Not my personal opinion) It's noise. The brutally efficient engineering, design and innovation is all completely judged on its (lack of) ability to waste energy, indycar is just a V6 with a pair of turbos strapped to it.

If you could get an i4 to scream like the V10s, 90% of the whiners wouldn't care.

[JuanjoTS]

It would benefit everyone involved obviously. Why would you think otherwise?

How does it benefit Mclaren that their star driver, who they pay millions a year, will not be driving at arguably the most important GP of the F1 calendar (especially for underpowered Mclaren) to instead par-take in a completely unrelated motorsport event?

Exposure for the McLaren brand. McLaren needs a title sponsor, Alonso needs another challenge.

I think you have hit the spot.

[FW17]

Has there even a comparison of Indy vs F1 engine loudness for people start complaining about f1?

[mwillems]

Agreed, and in who's hand would you rather give those new parts to the vet or the rookie ?

I think it also take pressure off V.

But I wasn't disputing who is the number 1 driver. Just the fact a comparison of any sort is a little futile right now.

You have a problem with me agreeing with you ????

haha no. Do it more

[mwillems]

How does it benefit Mclaren that their star driver, who they pay millions a year, will not be driving at arguably the most important GP of the F1 calendar (especially for underpowered Mclaren) to instead par-take in a completely unrelated motorsport event?

Exposure for the McLaren brand. McLaren needs a title sponsor, Alonso needs another challenge.

I think you have hit the spot.

It's a great move. The brand could do well for this, in America, Alonso's profile could rise, he has something to be enthusiastic about and motivate him for a while and fingers crossed by then, they will have a car that he can fight with. All in all it will help get them through a difficult period as a team. Well done Zak Brown and Honda.

[hpras]

Hmmm.... Michael Andretti.... McLaren..... seem to recall those 2 names have some "history"....

[JuanjoTS]

Exposure for the McLaren brand. McLaren needs a title sponsor, Alonso needs another challenge.

I think you have hit the spot.

It's a great move. The brand could do well for this, in America, Alonso's profile could rise, he has something to be enthusiastic about and motivate him for a while and fingers crossed by then, they will have a car that he can fight with. All in all it will help get them through a difficult period as a team. Well done Zak Brown and Honda.

It is promoted as a brand in the big US market, both Honda and McLaren, with possibility to find sponsor for the F1. In a year in which there is no ALO, they give you the possibility to get closer to the triple crown, giving ALO an incentive to continue in McHonda for another 5 years. It's a master play.

[ispano6]

If the situation were a driver swap I would like to have seen Alexander Rossi in the MCL32 in Monaco (though I don't see him passing up the Indy500), and Jenson Button is the best choice and under contract. He is fit and has the experience to handle the faster 2017 cars. Definitely rooting for Jenson and hoping he has a decent package to run with.

[hpras]

and somehow I can just see RD having a meltdown.

[diffuser]

Indy never had the high revving engines that F1 fans grew accustom to. They still revved relatively high compared to road cars, but nothing like the 20k rpm machines of the past F1. I actually preferred the Indy cars. You could feel the growl of the engines on your chest as they flew down the straight.

GP2 engines ....700HP max.