'No takers for Honda's engine', says Hasegawa

40

Honda's motorsport boss Yusuke Hasegawa says that he would readily supply a second team in Formula 1 but that no one is currently interested in the Japanese power unit.

It's been an uphill struggle for Honda since its return to the pinnacle of motor sport last year with partner McLaren under the new era hybrid V6 power unit rules introduced in 2014.

While the manufacturer's reliability and performance level have greatly improved this season, Honda still requires huge development improvements before it can tackle rivals Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault.

Honda believes the addition of a second team using its power unit would help its development rate, something even McLaren now agrees with, but there are no takers at present unfortunately.

"I think from a technical point of view it is good to have a second team, to have more chances to run the engines," explained Yusuke Hasegawa.

"Of course it costs a bit more, and we need to prepare the engineers, but in general I would be happy to have a second team if we have the opportunity.

"But also at this moment we are not strong enough. There is not any team that wants to have a Honda engine. We need to wait. I have to change the situation."

Hasegawa confirmed that updates to its power unit, mainly targeting its internal combustion engine, are scheduled to be introduced sometime over the summer, and that a performance increase will follow.

"We are aiming to have half a second [gain], but I don't know, I can't tell if we can achieve that. But we should do that. We need to improve," said Hasegawa.

The Japanese engineer said however that no decision had yet been taken regarding the direction Honda shall be following next year on its engineering and development front.

"So far we are researching many possibilities. Drastic change or a continuous one, we haven't decided yet which direction we will go. We are researching that.

"Maybe in August we will have to decide. McLaren has to decide the package."

While McLaren is not questioning Honda's commitment to succeed, Hasegawa admitted the manufacturer was under intense pressure to deliver results, both from its partner and from within.

"The pressure is very big, huge, and it's not just coming from the two drivers. There is Ron Dennis, and of course Honda.

"The biggest pressure, for me, is coming from within Honda, from inside, the board."

Chris Medland's 2016 British Grand Prix

Technical analysis Austria

Scene at the Austrian Grand Prix

Breakfast with ... Alexander Rossi

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.