Honda is moving its resources across to its 2017 power unit development team as it nears its final upgrade this season.
The Japanese manufacturer has three development tokens remaining this year after introducing a significant update at the Belgian Grand Prix. Honda's head of F1 project Yusuke Hasegawa says one more power unit will be required this year which will see a final upgrade introduced, with resources starting to move across to a team dedicated to next year's engine.
"We have three tokens left," Hasegawa said. "Still nine races [from the last upgrade to the end of the year], one more engine needed. One more chance to introduce one more spec up. Still we need time to give me confidence to improve. Combustion update – definitely. If it won’t we will spend tokens for other reasons. So far we plan to introduce it for ICE power."
When asked if Honda is keen to ensure any upgrades this season also have an impact on next year's power unit, Hasegawa replied: "Yes.
"But actually we have a completely separate team from the start of this year concentrating on next year’s engine. We still have this year’s team. Of course we are exchanging information with each other. So then the resource is moving to next year’s engine team."
And Hasegawa says the two teams working in parallel was required because there are still restrictions on what can be achieved even with the removal of the token system next year.
"Not such big [changes]. There’s still some limitation, even without tokens – of course we have some resource and technical limitation. Technology is more important than just having no token."
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Scene at the Italian Grand Prix
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