Engine manufacturer Honda's return to Formula 1 has been affected by numerous technical problems, but confidence remains high despite delays in the joint development program put in place with the McLaren team.
During the first two pre-season testing periods, several minor glitches plagued the performances of the Japanese V6 turbo hybrid engine. McLaren estimates that only half of its planned mileage has been covered. “We learn a lot day by day”, nonetheless declared Yasuhisa Arai, the head of Honda's motorsport division, interviewed by F1i.com. “We think we've closed one problem and another one pops up. It's very busy.” “We need more time”, he added, knowing that a final four-day testing period remains before the inaugural race of the 2015 championship, in Australia (March 13-15). “We are still working day by day checking data and looking at the data to see what is good and what is not. They are very tough days”, explained Arai. “Our target is very clear, not only for us but also all the other power unit manufacturers like Renault and Ferrari are targeting Mercedes.” “The other teams have (gained) a lot of experience during 2014 so maybe that's a little handicap that we have to catch up. But we are ready to catch up in equal conditions during the season.” Arai promises that Honda will “always” do its best at every Grand Prix, but stressed that “100% at one race is quite different to 100% at another.” What are the strengths of Honda's power unit? “Everything!” Arai proudly responds. Will the exclusive McLaren-Honda partnership win a race in 2015? “I Hope so!” Fernando Alonso returned to McLaren this year, attracted by Honda's potential. His teammate Jenson Button is also confident. “We're not going to have a race-winning car at the first race but we might have one at the last race”, he declared over the weekend.
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