Honda and F1
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From: Sugar Land
Originally posted by MarkS2K
It's funny, but I was just talking to Mingster about Honda and F1 at lunch. I used to follow F1 a lot more closely when Honda was in it with McClaren and they had Senna and Prost as drivers. Back in those days, Honda ruled the engines since they were turbo'ed. Mingster told me that ever since F1 banned turbo's, it's been harder for Honda to get the power out of theiur NA engines. We actually discussed some of the new advances that they're working on to compete with the big boys.
It's funny, but I was just talking to Mingster about Honda and F1 at lunch. I used to follow F1 a lot more closely when Honda was in it with McClaren and they had Senna and Prost as drivers. Back in those days, Honda ruled the engines since they were turbo'ed. Mingster told me that ever since F1 banned turbo's, it's been harder for Honda to get the power out of theiur NA engines. We actually discussed some of the new advances that they're working on to compete with the big boys.
I think Honda will come around, it's all about money... it all just depends on how much Corp wants to spend.
-Shing
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From: Redondo Beach
I think Honda's probably right on schedule with their F1 development. It takes a long time to develop a competitive, reliable engine in F1. (The only exception is BMW, it seems, and their rapid rise to the top has astounded everyone in the F1 world.) Just look at all the third-tier teams who use previous-generation engines from the 1st-tier teams, e.g. Sauber/Ferrari -- they KNOW that the engine won't compete with the current Ferrari, so they have *deliberately* picked a losing engine! The only rationale that can justify this seemingly absurd situation is that it must *still* be better than trying to get a development engine.
Also: Remember when Honda entered CART? They were dismal for 2 years, just bad the next, and suddenly the 4th year they were dominating everyone! And remember how Rahal had stuck with them during their development (even after failing to qualify at Indy for lack of power), but then bailed right before Honda started dominating? It was devastating to him. I think that's why Villeneuve has stuck with BAR - he was around to see what happened in CART and isn't about to go to another team just when the Honda comes into its own.
And finally: Except for the mid/late 60's when F1 engine rules changes confused things, Honda has NEVER entered ANY racing series without eventually *dominating* the competition -- not just winning occasionally, but making the series look like "there's Honda and then there's everyone else".
So be afarid. Be very afraid.
John
Also: Remember when Honda entered CART? They were dismal for 2 years, just bad the next, and suddenly the 4th year they were dominating everyone! And remember how Rahal had stuck with them during their development (even after failing to qualify at Indy for lack of power), but then bailed right before Honda started dominating? It was devastating to him. I think that's why Villeneuve has stuck with BAR - he was around to see what happened in CART and isn't about to go to another team just when the Honda comes into its own.
And finally: Except for the mid/late 60's when F1 engine rules changes confused things, Honda has NEVER entered ANY racing series without eventually *dominating* the competition -- not just winning occasionally, but making the series look like "there's Honda and then there's everyone else".
So be afarid. Be very afraid.
John
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From: Sydney
Originally posted by ElTianti
I danno, looked to me that Irvine and his Ford motor had more HP down the straight at the french gp.
I danno, looked to me that Irvine and his Ford motor had more HP down the straight at the french gp.
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From: Erock is da shizzle
A few other points, "M" gmbh is not new to racing, they have built racing engines for a long long time. But stil,l an amazing entry.
And number 2, Villeneuve sticking with BAR has a lot to do with him being a part owner of the car, or company. Alot of his own money is tied up in it. So it's unlikely that he would jump. Although there have been rumours of it.
Even though the same guy pretty much wins all the races ( 6 outta 10 ) I still love the drama of F1.
And number 2, Villeneuve sticking with BAR has a lot to do with him being a part owner of the car, or company. Alot of his own money is tied up in it. So it's unlikely that he would jump. Although there have been rumours of it.
Even though the same guy pretty much wins all the races ( 6 outta 10 ) I still love the drama of F1.
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