Brawn reiterates 'helping hand' offer to Honda

Formula 1 sporting manager Ross Brawn said once again that F1 is willing to help Honda with its struggles if the Japanese manufacture requested assistance.

As Brawn continues to work on defining the sport's post-2020 regulations, among which the rules governing power unit design, manufacturers are set for a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the future.

Reports suggest that the most likely configuration will be a 1.6 litre V6 with two turbos and a single KERS, with the louder and simpler unit expected to develop 1000bhp.

But in the interim, Honda's performance painfully languishes, while its relationship with partner McLaren slowly dissolves.

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"If Honda were to approach us for help, and it was something within our capability - as in not something that would create an unfair competition - then we would help," Brawn said.

"We're not about to go in and negotiate special engineering terms for Honda," he added.

"I'm not proposing that I go in and tell Honda how they should design their engine, but if we in F1 can help them achieve their ambitions, then we will."

Brawn explained that part of F1's ambition is to attract new manufacturers, something that will only be achieved however if the sport does away with the current extraordinarily complex engine rules.

"The old [Cosworth V8-dominated] days, where the engine was in effect just a spacer between the chassis and the gearbox because everybody had the same engine - I don't think that added a lot of value to F1, whereas there is value to having some differentiation," Brawn added.

"But it mustn't get too big, to the extent that it becomes the dominant factor.

"Finding the balance comes from the point at which you start, because trying to apply corrections afterwards is tricky, emotional, divisive, and it frustrates people.

"Seeing where we are today is a great catalyst for ensuring that the new regulations control the potential for performance differentials, and are attainable by more people.

"The current power units are magnificent pieces of engineering, but unfortunately, as has been demonstrated, you really do struggle as a new manufacturer to get on top of the challenge.

"We don't want to make it too easy, but we do want new manufacturers to be able to come in, do a respectable job, and be competitive within three years."

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