Juzh wrote: ↑08 Nov 2020, 15:57
godlameroso wrote: ↑08 Nov 2020, 15:14
ME4ME wrote: ↑08 Nov 2020, 11:14
I think we should all be realistic and don't dream away and raise expectations beyond what's likely to happen.
Regardless if they call it their 2020 v3, 2021 or 2022 engine, it is what it is and it's developed with the time they've got. If i recall correctly Honda was the one to introduce an update this year, the others haven't so they have spend more time working on what's next.
Also Honda has a track record of underestimating their rivals - being bullish at this moment doesn't mean much.
Additionally, Mercedes but also possibly Renault have matched Honda or been very close in development rate. It's not like Honda has clearly and rapidly out-developed them over the last 12 month. The Honda was solid already last year.
We also know Honda still has some unreliabilty issues to solve. More so than Mercedes, which is the reference if they aim for the championship.
I think the most likely outcome is that the current relative PU performance continues next year. Ferrari might catch up on performance a bit but might struggle with unreliability.
Also actual power unit reliability has been rock solid. All the issues have been with the auxiliary and support systems. All the ICE and turbos are fine.
True, but end result is the same: 3 PU related dnfs, which is unacceptable imo. Not after they had 0 in 2019 (for verstappen) while having much better relative performance against mercedes.
Verstappen's 3 DNF's weren't power unit failures. Failure one was a drive shaft, nothing to do with the ICE. Failure 2 electronics issue non power unit related and not terminal, Failure 3 also electronics issue that led to collision, which is what caused the DNF and finally DNF 4 was a tire blow out, nothing to do with the power unit.
For the others, again, Gasly had a radiator issue, not a power unit issue. Damaged radiator made Albon retire as well.
Other than practice engines going up in smoke, there have not been any ICE or turbo failures at all. Electronic faults are more likely down to packaging than actual component failure(understandable if you're pushing the limits of what's possible). The cars aren't indestructible, when the tracks can damage cars if one is not careful, and debris are strewn about, or are pushing like mad, one small mistake can send debris from another car into your radiator.