Honda is “annoyed” it has been left out of the relaxation of the F1 engine freeze for 2015.<\/p>\n
After Ferrari and Renault championed a loophole in the regulations, the governing FIA’s Charlie Whiting clarified that while existing manufacturers can now modify their turbo V6s during the 2015 season, Honda cannot.<\/p>\n
That is because the rules explicitly mark out a February 28 homologation deadline for new engine makers.<\/p>\n
And “As the existing manufacturers were obliged to homologate their power units by 28 February 2014, it would seem fair and equitable to ask a new manufacturer to homologate their power unit before February 28 2015,” Whiting said.<\/p>\n
We reported last weekend that, at the most recent Strategy Group meeting, McLaren boss Ron Dennis expressed his “concern” that the clarification discriminates against the British team’s new works engine supplier.<\/p>\n
And a senior source at Honda has now admitted the Japanese marque is “annoyed”.<\/p>\n
The BBC added that McLaren-Honda has been in contact with the FIA about the matter, and will meet with the governing body next week.<\/p>\n
So far, the press’ reaction to the ‘unfreeze’ situation has been mixed.<\/p>\n
Reporting for Brazil’s Globo, correspondent Livio Oricchio said he expects Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button to “probably have to watch their opponents fight for the top places” this year.<\/p>\n
“Honda have to fight against competitors who not only have a year of experience with their power units, but now have the possibility to make them even better as the season progresses,” he added.<\/p>\n
But as report in Italy’s Autosprint noted: “It is also true that Honda had a year of extra time to design its engine, taking advantage of the experience of what its opponents had to go through in 2014.<\/p>\n
“This will have impacted certain technical choices (made by Honda) such as the position of the turbine and the compressor.”<\/p>\n
Writing in the Spanish daily AS, Raul Romojaro said: “It remains to be seen whether McLaren-Honda will lodge some sort of appeal or seek consultation on Whiting’s interpretation.<\/p>\n
“In any case, their first objective must be to take advantage of their current absolute freedom of development until March,” he added.<\/p>\n
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