Honda will wait for next engine upgrade

With a remaining allotment of ten development tokens, Honda has decided to wait for a few races before introducing its next spec power unit.

Honda has focused primarily on improving the internal combustion engine of its power unit, exploiting two development tokens on the unit's engine intake system for the British GP.

But McLaren's engine partner will now hold out on any upgrades in the short term.

"We still keep trying our efforts to improving our engine, the ICE area," Honda boss Yusuke Hasegawa told Autosport.

"We have seen some good numbers, we just need to prepare. Not in a couple of races but in four or five races we aim to introduce it."

While Honda plans to make incremental improvements to its power unit, using its development tokens accordingly, Hasegawa said the full allocation would be used by the end of the season.

The Japanese engineer added that while progress had definitely been achieved, Honda's unit still lags its main rivals on the performance front.

"We definitely have some gain from the power unit. We didn't do any back to back tests so I can't tell and the driver didn't feel a big difference but it contributed to the car performance so it was good.

"Fernando [Alonso] got a very quick Q3 lap time which was eighth and although it was eliminated [for a track limits infringement], it was proof of the upgrade.

"We are bottom of the pile but we can reduce the gap."

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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.