2017 Mclaren F1 Team - Honda

[Schuttelberg]

I really hope I'm wrong, but it sure looks like this season has been lost before it has even started.

Alonso has to be F1's most tragic figure of all time. Even more so than Reutemann (yeah, I'm that old).

Why?

[dren]

How much of the bill is Honda paying at Mclaren?

[FrukostScones]

How much of the bill is Honda paying at Mclaren?

I think it was like 25 % in 2015.
Maybe a lot more now.
They need Honda, and have a ten year contract.

[Goran2812]

Well they're bound to do it right eventually in those 10 years, to bad Fernando won't be there to use the machinery to the max and win...

[ringo]

Well the vibration is affecting the electricals for sure. That's what happens when things get lighter; vibration is more of a factor.

[proteus]

I am wondering if the oil tank wasnt problematic at all, but they considered it being the cause of vibrations and engine grinding itself out of commision due to lack of lubricant in the moving parts.

[mwillems]

I am wondering if the oil tank wasnt problematic at all, but they considered it being the cause of vibrations and engine grinding itself out of commision due to lack of lubricant in the moving parts.

I think Honda did say in many different quotes. that they needed a redesign of the oil collector - and also that they have a temporary fix. It would be good if all the issues are down to vibrations causing electrical and mechanical issues. However, I suspect they are not. And I wonder what they are yet to find when they run the engine in anger for the first time.

[hemichromis]

I'm not sure i believe the vibration thing. that would certainly show up on a dyno. The block not being strong enough to be a 'stressed member' might not.
That said, vibration was mentioned two years ago with regard to the Honda PU.

[mwillems]

I'm not sure i believe the vibration thing. that would certainly show up on a dyno. The block not being strong enough to be a 'stressed member' might not.
That said, vibration was mentioned two years ago with regard to the Honda PU.

I come here just to be wowed by the technical knowledge of this site. So I know almost nothing. But I have followed Mclaren for a while... and personally I do not rule out the chassis or the engine packaging being part of the vibration issue. Mclaren have an ongoing habit of telling the world how great their car is, and then often being the last to realise it isn't. That said, a Dyno might have very different mounting points that are probably a lot more effective at reducing vibrations, than those in a car doing 180km over bumpy road and kerbs. The engine may well be fantastic, in perfect conditions. Just not in the harsh light of day.

Time will tell I guess.

[Arzu]

http://soymotor.com/noticias/lobato-mcl ... 016-931184

From google translate (too long to do it myself)

The McLaren MCL32 Honda engine delivers 50 horsepower less than the 2016 engine, according to information the SoyMotor.com co-director Antonio Lobato has had access to. Lobato has also revealed that McLaren is discussing the possibility of breaking with Honda and adopting a new power unit.

McLaren promised a remarkable jump in quality in 2017, but the preseason has made it clear that the project is still at an embryonic stage. The reliability problems are constant and the sensations are not more promising than those breathed in 2015 and 2016.

In Barcelona, ​​the MCL32 stopped on the track four times in the last two days of preseason for intermittent electric blackouts. The reason for these faults are vibrations in the combustion engine of the V6 Turbo, vibrations that cause the already famous electrical problems related to the battery that the equipment tried to solve with the modification of several components of the propeller and the chassis.

"Honda has made a worse engine than 2016. Even the new specification, which they have used in the second week and the one they are going to use presumably in Australia if they do not change their mind now, is worse than last year's engine. As I've been told, this specification would have 50 horsepower less than last year's engine, "Lobato explained in a video titled 'The McLaren disaster'.

"It has a vibration problem: these vibrations, in addition to the engine because that comes from the combustion engine, it generates electrical problems, it has no power or reliability, it breaks."

Antonio has also detailed that the team is far behind schedule in its work.

"McLaren has only completed 30 per cent of the test program, which is a bit difficult, McLaren has been unable to do a race simulation, and the big question is what will happen in Australia. First year of the second stage of Fernando in McLaren, when it was not known if he could start in a race or complete two, three or no lap? It seems that yes, because he has not been able to prove. Have been able to force the engine because it broke, but the times are only ahead of the Sauber team and 2.7 seconds from the head.



INTERNAL CRISIS

Lobato has also revealed that McLaren is discussing the possibility of terminating his contract with Honda.

"I have been told that even McLaren has talked about the possibility of changing engines supplier, but it is a very complicated story because you have to break with Honda and it is not so easy to take a new engine and insert it into a chassis , Because we already know the complexity of Formula 1 power units. It's a real disaster. "

Antonio has remarked the tense relationship that exists within the project.

"The internal situation has to be terrible, however much they try to sell that the relationship is good, they are very happy and they continue to work hard to get out of the situation, there has to be a lot of tension because what Honda has done is unacceptable" .

"The qualifying adjective that can be used to name what has happened to the McLaren team is 'disastrous.' 'Pathetic' could also be used."



FERNANDO ALONSO

Lobato believes that the patience of Fernando Alonso must be on the verge of reaching his limit, and that he could even weigh the idea of ​​leaving McLaren-Honda if he reaches an agreement with the team.

"What is going through Fernando's head right now? Knowing him, after all the illusion he has put into this project and knowing that after this year he has to think about renewing or not, I think that right now in his head he has Pass on the idea of ​​leaving and leave it already, if you can reach an agreement. "

"It's very sad to face another year knowing that you have no choice at all.It is likely that he and Vandoorne will leave the last line of the grid in Australia and do not complete four laps.It is really frustrating.I think Fernando does not deserve it And that Formula 1 does not deserve Fernando to be in this situation. "

[adrianjordan]

Clickbait, I'm not seeing one actual, verifiable source in that story...

[radosav]

Lobato's story doesn't look true to me because Alonso himself said that engine used during second week is not the one they will use at melbourne.

[Arzu]

He used to have good sources when he was F1's TV commentator for the Spanish broadcast. I don't know if that comes from those sources or if he is just trying to promote his own F1 website just by telling bullshit. Time will tell I guess.

[Goran2812]

Isn't he the one that is very close to Fernando and are good friends?

Regarding the state of the team and predictions in Melbourne... Does anyone think they will even finish the race? What about qually? Last row? Is it to bold to predict something like that at this stage?

[fenix4life]

If the engine is really 50hp down in comparison to last year would it be realistic that they use the 2016 spec? Can they use the 2016 spec?