Alonso Downplays Honda F1 Engine Power Gain at Spa
Fernando Alonso says Honda’s latest Formula 1 engine upgrade for McLaren at Spa-Francorchamps will not deliver the large power boost some had predicted.
Fernando Alonso has played down expectations of a major power increase from Honda’s latest Formula 1 engine update, as McLaren prepares to start from the back of the grid at the 2015 Belgian Grand Prix following a double engine change.
Honda introduced a revised power unit for Spa-Francorchamps, with McLaren drivers Alonso and Jenson Button both taking new engines and the resulting grid penalties. The update is part of a steady development programme as Honda seeks to close the gap to rivals after a difficult return to F1. Honda’s F1 boss Yasuhisa Arai had previously suggested the Japanese manufacturer was aiming to match Ferrari’s performance and target Mercedes next, prompting speculation of a 50 to 100 horsepower gain for the new specification.
Alonso’s assessment of the Honda upgrade
Alonso, speaking in the Spa paddock, dismissed the larger figures circulating in the media. He said the actual power gain is less dramatic than some reports suggested, though he acknowledged the team is making progress. The Spaniard described the current season as a development year and said the penalties at Spa are not a major concern given the team’s focus on 2016.
Both Alonso and Button will start at the back of the grid due to the engine changes, but Alonso said Spa’s layout and the team’s current competitiveness make it a logical venue to take the penalties. He characterised the race as another opportunity for testing updates and gathering data for next season.
Development focus shifts to 2016
Alonso made clear that McLaren-Honda’s priority is development for the following year, with Spa’s engine update part of a series of steps aimed at long-term improvement rather than immediate results. He indicated that further penalties in 2015 are likely as the team continues to introduce upgrades. For further context on Honda’s reliability and performance challenges, seeNew Honda Powerful But Unreliable Report.
