Honda: 'Engine development strategy now reversed'

Since the engine development freeze instituted in stages in 2022, F1 teams have not been allowed to improve the power unit or improve performance as a result of further development. Honda over the winter made an engine that is not faster, but better.

Honda not faster, but better

What teams are still allowed to do is, tinker with the engine if it is important for the reliability and durability of the drivetrain. Teams can also get more speed out of the car by better aligning the chassis and engine, but since the engine may no longer be made faster until 2026, Honda is not talking about a faster engine for 2023, but a better one.

Auto Motor und Sport quotes Honda F1 project manager Tetsushi Kakuda: "In recent years, all engine builders have opted for performance rather than reliability." With the arrival of the new E10 fuel, a lot of speed was lost, so teams tried to make up for that with aggressive development. Kakuda: "That seriously increased the pressure on the internal cylinders. E10 more or less demanded a lot from the engines. We have tried to solve these problems for 2023."

Reliability of engine gives strategic advantage

Honda says the freeze on engine development seems to be working because the rules as they stand allow for minimal engine improvement. What is most important for the teams' engine departments in the coming years until 2026 is to focus on reliability. Kakuda: "With more stability and durability, we have more strategic options. We can handle the engine differently."

Whereas Red Bull Racing was fastest with the Honda engine last year and Ferrari only really came close in terms of top speed at the end of the year, it seems, based on the 2023 F1 winter tests, that Ferrari now has the highest top speed. This seems to be mainly due to the aerodynamics of the SF23. Ferrari does lose speed in corners as a result.