bigblue wrote: ↑20 Oct 2020, 01:11
McG wrote: ↑20 Oct 2020, 01:01
[Remember it was only with outside help that Honda actually started to really improve.
Who helped out Honda ?
Outside of Honda the corporation, or outside of Honda F1 program? I believe Honda started drawing engineering help from other departments. As far as outside help, from what I hear the couple personalities that Honda brought in to help with the engine program were let go due to lack of results. This is as far back as the McLaren days. Honda does have to deal with suppliers and a fair bit of them are based in Europe, but a lot were also "home" talents.
Honda really started to improve once they no longer had to worry about reliability, because they could focus on performance instead of both. Although it is true that reliability improves performance to the extent it lets you run more aggressive settings for longer. The big gains come from downsizing components making them more efficient, and having a reliable baseline is very important to that process. Smaller lighter components give more leeway to the chassis side to make the aero more extreme. Also improving weight distribution of the chassis, or strengthening certain parts so they tolerate heat better, which again require less cooling, which gives more freedom for aero.
Honda also had a works partnership with their turbo manufacturer IHI for the 2019 season I believe, but that works partnership also dissolved, not because of lack of results, rather Honda felt they could "take it from there".