Aston Martin and Honda respond to Mercedes and Red Bull power unit ‘trick’ debate

13:03, 20 Jan

byKada Sarkozi

Honda and Aston Martin explained they are pushing towards the limit in terms of their power unit amid discussions over the compression ratio 'trick' found by Mercedes and Red Bull.

Honda's power unit presentation took place today in Tokyo, where the Japanese manufacturer revealed the engine that will power the new Aston Martin car in the 2026 season.

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Alongside Koji Watanabe, Aston Martin owner Lawrence Stroll, Chief Strategy Officer Andy Cowell, and F1 CEO and President Stefano Domenicali were all present at the event.

Watanabe and Cowell were asked about the compression ratio 'trick' found by Mercedes and Red Bull. The higher the ratio is, the more performance the power unit delivers, however, it stays within the allowed limit when measured.

Honda's Watanabe said through a translator: "This year starts the new regulations, the interpretation of the regulations and the operations for it. So not just on this, but also there are a lot of factors that need to come into discussion.

"So there's more to it. So we would like to keep them aside for now. But then we want to make it clear that we want to meet and comply with the regulations as we developed in this.

"So regulations do not have everything listed very clearly bit by bit. So in the new regulation, we look into the possibility of the new technology for each of the different power units.

"There is a lot of room for interpretation as well. And this is also part of the race.

"So for FIA, it's up to them to decide whether it's good or bad. So they have to take it in. For Honda, we have a lot of different ideas. And we would like to discuss with the FIA to understand if our ideas are accepted or they are not OK.

"So I think that's how we're going to proceed. So we would always look to FIA to consult them on regulation related matters."

Andy Cowell - Photo: Race Pictures

Having plenty of experience with Formula 1 engines, Cowell continued: "The topic of compression ratio, there's always a topic that bubbles up when new regulations come into place. And every competitor reads the regulations and pushes performance to the limit.

"Compression ratio is clearly a key thermal efficiency enabling aspect of an internal combustion engine, so you always push it to the limit. So I'm sure every single power unit manufacturer is doing that."

"The FIA have the job to make sure that everybody interprets the regulations in a fair and equal way."

- Andy Cowell

The engine guru concluded: "And as mentioned, the FIA have the job to make sure that everybody interprets the regulations in a fair and equal way which is what's ongoing at the moment."

After Honda's launch in the Japanese capital, Aston Martin will have their event on 9 February, where the car designed by Adrian Newey will be revealed.

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