Honda: 'V8s could help us win the title'

[Zytek_Fan]

This made me laugh

Engine chief Yasuhiro Wada believes Formula One's new engine rules could help BAR-Honda break their victory duck.

Although Jenson Button has come close over the past two years he has yet to stand on the top step of the podium.

However, with Honda now in complete control of the team, optimism is high that Button and new team-mate Rubens Barrichello can finally deliver the goods.

Wada believes a change in engine rules, which reduces capacity from three-litre V10 units to 2.4-litre V8s, could help his team by levelling the playing field.

He said: "There's no doubt we have the capability to win, we just have to harness all potential areas for improvement."

"Next season we have a new V8 engine regulation, which will be a challenge but it's also an opportunity and we hope it will be a big opportunity for us."

"This year's priority was for Honda to get back to winning races but, unfortunately, we didn't fulfil that objective."

"Next year we'd like to start challenging for the Championship and we would like to start winning as soon as possible. That's what we'll be pushing for in 2006."

Wada is concerned, though, that a loophole in the new rules could see at least one rival team steal an unfair advantage.

When the new rules were introduced, world governing body the FIA gave Minardi permission to use old V10 engines, subject to rev limits, due to their financial problems.

It is believes those engines will have a power advantage compared to the new units and Wada wants the FIA to impose stricter limits on Minardi, now known as Scuderia Toro Rosso following Red Bull's buy-out.

Wada said: "Currently it's technically true that a V10 running with the proposed restrictor will be more powerful than one of the new V8s."

"However, we don't want to be forced back to a V10 as the principal of the new regulations is for a V8 formula."

"Every engine manufacturer agrees the proposed restrictor size isn't correct and we believe the FIA will apply a fairer equivalent."

All the major manufacturers in Formula One have vowed to stick with the V8 concept, even if the detuned 2005 engines prove faster, although their resolve could be tested if the FIA does not eliminate the V10 advantage.

[derekthetree]

i reckon that barichello will flourish at honda. i just hope hondaq don't concetrate on helping button win otherwise h'll be stuck as second driver again.

intersting to read about the v10 advantage too. i hadn't heard about that. i hope the FIA gets its rear in gear and sorts it all out.

[Spastik_Roach]

V8's are in F1 next year? News to me!

[MrKipling]

No, by round three everyone will be using restrictor plated V10s.

Honda will do very well next year, as will Jenson Button. Rubens will not.

[Matra et Alpine]

No, by round three everyone will be using restrictor plated V10s.

Honda will do very well next year, as will Jenson Button. Rubens will not.

well the RULES for 2006 are that engines are V8 OR an interim V10 based on current engine with restrictors.

The initial restrictor size is showing that the V10 will produce more power, so some teams are saying they'll stick. FIA can change the restrictor size at any time as it IS intended to level the playing field for the interim period that V10s and V8 are accepted. After next year, NO V10s.