Really interesting read on Honda's intentions as far back as 2008 - what could have been..... @RacecarEngineer: Not a new story this but still a fascinating what if - the story of Honda's first F1 hybrid - http://t.co/c4RmMGliVV @HondaRacingF1
WOW, thanks for posting that, very interesting. Some great technical details. Very interesting about the test mules Honda built. If Honda built so many test mules for their F1 team why on earth did they not work with McL on the new engine in a mule? Only thing I can think of is that for some reason Honda were forced into producing the F1 Hybrid in a massively reduced time scale. But I wonder what pushed them into committing to running in 2015? It almost seems like Honda miss read the McL contract and thought they didn't have to run an F1 Hybrid in a proper car till 2016!
Unless i've missed something, they've made a poor mistake for a technology mag. McLaren (as far as i know) didn't develop a Kers car in 98, the system they had was roughly similar in principle purely down to the concept of using the rear braking for a secondary feature, but it wasn't charging to a battery to power a motor, it was much more simply a rudimentary and non electircal traction control designed to skip around the regulations of banned electronic driver aids, so they made a hydraulic one.
New article from Scarbs on Autosport website.... In the months ahead of the launch of the McLaren MP4-30, there was a huge amount of speculation surrounding the technology of the new Honda Formula 1 engine. It's been a troubled start so far, with pre-season testing a disaster and McLaren battling to make up ground in the early flyaway races. A lot of these reliability problems are the result of Honda trying to steal a march on its engine rivals by incorporating new and unproven technology, as, with in-season development limited, it did not want to start 2015 with a basic power unit set-up that would be hard to improve. McLaren went aggressive with the aerodynamic concept on this year's car, and that put pressure on Honda to achieve the packaging required for the Woking team's 'size zero' dimensions. Over the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend, the ongoing problems on Jenson Button's car allowed us to get the first clear look at the Honda unit, showing just how radical the Japanese firm has gone to achieve minimal volume with its packaging. Honda has split its turbo, but the way it has done so is different to Mercedes, as the turbo sits within the tight confines of the 'V' of the engine, along with the MGU-H. To fit a turbo into this space, it appears that Honda has pioneered the use of an axial flow compressor. Rather than a large centrifugal fan, there are a series of smaller fans along a shaft. This design spins up quicker, although it may lack the maximum possible boost, which is not such an issue in this fuel-limited formula. Aligned on the same shaft as the compressor is the MGU-H and the exhaust-driven turbine; the latter appears to sit behind the engine and is of a more conventional design. Honda hopes to improve driveability and reduce the size of the envelope of the engine with this layout. Above the turbo is a compact, low-line aluminium inlet plenum chamber. Inside, the inlets are turned through 90 degrees to reduce the height of the chamber, while still allowing for variable-length inlet trumpets. please log in to view this image More conventionally, the oil tank and MGU-K are located at the front of the engine and under the left-hand cylinder bank respectively. Finally, and again unconventionally, the ERS module ahead of the motor combines the battery and both control electronic boxes (one each for ERS-K and ERS-H) into one unit. This creates a lower and lighter unit that requires less space under the fuel tank area, which again aids aerodynamic packaging. Of course, all of this tight packaging means that there's precious little space for external cooling. All of the ERS elements will require water or oil cooling, which has led to reliability problems and Honda needing to cap power to keep temperatures under control and prevent coolant leaks via the seals around the spinning shafts. Although Honda continues to have reliability problems, the fundamental design of the power unit is valid and will eventually become both powerful and reliable. That will mean McLaren's aerodynamic packaging gains can be fully realised
That does sound potentially good. Just hope they can get it all to work. Sounds like Honda have changed their attitude a little so they are publicly taking risks. I really do hope the engine comes good. What with Ferrari getting better, Honda possibilities and Merc not running away with things quite so much this might make the second half of the season a great one.
it's a pity that despite having 12 months of development, they are still effectively doing their testing in the full gaze of the TV cameras. if what Scarbs says is right and they do get all the issues sorted then McLaren and Honda will be in a very good place before the end of the year and for 2016
To be honest, I was expecting them to be amazing from the off this season with all the hype. But I am prepared to wait for their improvements, which are already evident.
I think Spain will be the indicator of whether they will be able to challenge in the near future. Thay have 3 weeks to refine, develope and improve the power unit as a whole and we may get to see if the areo and chassis are any good.
Ooopppps! @BBCSport: McLaren's Eric Boullier says the team can be competitive by the "end of next year" http://t.co/TPTDyqSbno http://t.co/Rp9TW0ClrS
Boullier has hit out at people this morning for expecting McHonda to be an instant winner. Not even going to touch that one, too easy...
There is more too it than that. Dennis said over the close season that he would rather have no sponsors than sell space on the car at undervalue. Not sure what it would cost to be a title sponsor at McLaren, but seems Ron will not be moved to reduce the value he has in mind. Bearing in mind their current situation, brand 'McLaren' is probably taking a bit of a hammering, so surely some new sponsors would take away some of the focus on them?
Adam Cooper @adamcooperF1 3m3 minutes ago '@McLarenF1 has now confirmed that the car livery will change this weekend - and that the chrome, which had caused some issues, has gone Adam Cooper @adamcooperF1 2m2 minutes ago We can expect to see "a dynamic, predatory, graphite-grey colouration, complemented by McLaren-dayglo ‘Speedmarks’ and keylines" Why are they so against making their car look good? Where is the logic in keeping grey? Is it to make them blend into the background whilst they struggle to compete?
"The chrome, which had caused some issues" Are they blaming their start on the colour of their paint? And how can a paint job be "predatory"? Looking forward to seeing this new innovation.
Now i was on the "congratulations on finding the only colour more boring than chrome" bandwagon, but.... i actually quite like it. Nose looks odd, but not aggressively dull as the old design.
Looks like in a desperate attempt to raise funds, Sauber have succeeded in selling leftover paint from last year's car to McLaren.
