Honda Power Unit Hardware & Software

[Sasha]

From now on MB's performance gain will come from running the ICE closer to 100% all the time. That means they will be getting more efficient.There will be little % HP gain each each year now on.(mostly to fuel upgrades and improving combustion)

Expect 90-100% brand new PU from everybody except MB.

What I see next year is.

MB... can run full power for longer,more reliability and drivability.
Renault...going to some type of spilt-turbo.
Ferrari...? will they take the chance of getting it wrong with split-turbo or just keep improving their design?
Honda.....pre-chamber and will they go split-turbo or standard.(both was tested)

[godlameroso]

The only reason to keep the standard setup would be because they plan on running another long compressor. If they are indeed running a pancake style compressor then it would make a lot of sense to front mount it.

[mclaren111]

Pardon my ignorance and lack of knowledge, but what is a Pancake style Compressor ??

Does the name Pancake refer to it's design and shape ?

Thx.

[Thunder]

Pardon my ignorance and lack of knowledge, but what is a Pancake style Compressor ??

Does the name Pancake refer to it's design and shape ?

Thx.

Yes, it is large in Diameter and relatively flat, whereas the Compressor in the Honda PU as of today is rumoured to be pretty small in diameter but "longer".

[diffuser]

Pardon my ignorance and lack of knowledge, but what is a Pancake style Compressor ??

Does the name Pancake refer to it's design and shape ?

Thx.

Yes, it is large in Diameter and relatively flat, whereas the Compressor in the Honda PU as of today is rumoured to be pretty small in diameter but "longer".

Barber's pole compressor.

[Mansell89]

Any inside word at the moment on the Honda design next year?

Last proper article we had about 2017, Hasegewa was talking about a complete separate team working on the 2017 engine and that they were taking the compressor out of the V. However, there was no confirmation that they would follow the Merc design layout, although it was assumed.

Ron says it's been up and running on the dyno, so is there much clarity yet or still pretty secret?

I'm most excited about Honda next year though, Renault made a good jump this year in their third season and Honda do have a more reliable baseline to build from so there is a real jump possibility if they have learned their lessons.

Hopefully Wazari might offer a clue.

[Wazari]

As they say, silence is golden. I can't add anything at this time to what already has been mentioned.

2017 power units are being tested on dyno's. Initial testing is very positive. Final layout is 95% certain.

I will post something after AD. Again thanks for all your kind wishes.

Both Honda and McLaren have much improving to do, however "Future looks bright, gotta wear shades......"

[Craigy]

Ron says it's been up and running on the dyno, so is there much clarity yet or still pretty secret?

There's competitive advantage in the packaging so I'd not expect anyone to be candid about their 2017 designs until they've been outed in photos and everyone knows what everyone else is running.

[godlameroso]

As they say, silence is golden. I can't add anything at this time to what already has been mentioned.

2017 power units are being tested on dyno's. Initial testing is very positive. Final layout is 95% certain.

I will post something after AD. Again thanks for all your kind wishes.

Both Honda and McLaren have much improving to do, however "Future looks bright, gotta wear shades......"

Stay cool! I'm also making nice progress, it's so nice to have everything weigh exactly the right amount in the right places.

[Wazari]

Stay cool! I'm also making nice progress, it's so nice to have everything weigh exactly the right amount in the right places.

Good to hear and yes it is.....lot's of compression on pump gasoline.

[Joseki]

Wazari-san, I'd be very happy if you could satisfy my curiosity regarding how the Honda guys feel/think about the McLaren guys and their work: at this time of the year I presume terabytes of data are moving every week from Sakura to Woking and from Woking to Sakura, do you guys think "they are doing this so we must do better than them" or do you simply do your job not thinking about what McLaren is doing right now? Hopefully my question makes sense to you.

[Wazari]

Mr. Joseki, I am going to give a short version of my answer. The long version would take pages. Speaking strictly for myself, I don't think about the "McLaren guys" only about the end product. We have massive amounts of data including race telemetry so we know each other's weaknesses and we also know that each party is trying their best to overcome those deficiencies. I don't have any sentiments about how we must do better than them. If each party does their part then the desired results should come. Both parties know the PU's gap to the others, we know the chassis (suspension and aero efficiency) weaknesses and strengths with regards to the others but I really don't think there is a "us vs. them" mentality, at least not on Honda's end. In my opinion, sometimes leaders speak "off the cuff" and maybe don't reflect the true picture of what is actually happening between the two parties. Hope that makes sense.

[FW17]

Hi Wazari-san,

Whats you thought on 50% ICE efficiency, possible or not possible?

[godlameroso]

I don't want to answer for him, but why fixate on an arbitrary number, given the limitations on fuel, and given the amounts of boost pressure, and estimated power being produced it's almost silly to assume that these power units aren't more or less there.

[PlatinumZealot]

That's right. Formula 1 mentally is aim high fall high. Aiming for 50% would be defeatist when Mercedes are aiming for 55!

I think Honda is keeping the compressor in the Vee, or using the Mercedes design for 2017. Normal engineering development you tend to stick with what you have mastered and that knowledge of operating the compressor and that long shaft in the small confines of the Vee in all that heat, will go a very long way for next year. They won't throw that knowledge away that is for sure.

I am not even worried about the engine layout. I actually think Ferrari has the most peak power now.. almost too much power for Kimi and Seb at times... that i feel the key is in the combustion and energy management. This is what I am hoping Honda gets right. It's not just about adopting a new combustion technology, ala Ferrari then Renault, it is about mastering it and being the best at it within a short space of time!