McLaren Honda Has Used Up Five Engines Already In 2017

Having to use at least five Formula 1 power units during the first four-day test of the 2017 season isn’t exactly encouraging for McLaren and Honda
McLaren Honda Has Used Up Five Engines Already In 2017

The 2017 F1 season didn’t get off to the best start for McLaren, Honda and the pair’s lovechild - the orange-liveried MCL32.

Yep, that’s because a number of engine problems plagued the McLaren team during the first four-day test of the season in Spain, limiting running for Fernando Alonso and Stoffel Vandoorne.

In fact, things were so bad, the BBC reports McLaren got through at least five Honda engines during the test. Let’s just remind ourselves of the fact that the rules say only four engines can be used during the entire season.

McLaren Honda Has Used Up Five Engines Already In 2017

So, it’s hardly surprising Honda is said to be worried about reliability of its extensively redesigned and restructured V6 turbo power unit.

McLaren was hit with an oil tank problem after just one lap on the first day of testing, leading to an engine change. Fast forward to day two and the MCL32 was already on its third engine, and that then had to be changed during the session.

McLaren Honda Has Used Up Five Engines Already In 2017

Running was smoother on the final two days and the car actually got to run quite a few laps, but according to the BBC a fifth engine was needed during that time.

Naturally, a Honda spokesperson wasn’t keen to comment on the number of engines, but it seems there is an air of mystery around the cause of some of these engine failures.

That doesn’t bode well for the next test, let alone the season, with Honda not sure which specification of engine it will run after so many issues at the first test.

McLaren Honda Has Used Up Five Engines Already In 2017

Honda F1 boss Yusuke Hasegawa told Spanish TV station Movistar:

“The mechanical issue, I don’t know enough yet to be confident about that. Of course, I worry about that.”

It hasn’t impacted McLaren and Honda’s relationship though, apparently:

“In the tests, of course, this is a stage we need to overcome a lot of trouble. So sometimes we need to argue or we need to have constructive discussion, but I think we are doing a very good job and we have a very good relationship.”

Let’s hope the second test goes well for McLaren and Honda - that orange livery certainly looks cool out on track. Cars will be back at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya from the 7-10 March.

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Comments

Anonymous

Because they used too much VTEC, no wonder.

03/05/2017 - 09:55 |
98 | 1
Tomislav Celić

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Honda, doesn’t give you ‘nuff VTEC in a road car
Gives you too much VTEC in a racecar

03/05/2017 - 10:37 |
27 | 1
hariz

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

wrong!they did not use VTEC,thats why they are unreliable
VTEC=Very Tall Engine Cooling

03/05/2017 - 11:44 |
21 | 2
datpolishtho

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

Every time anyone mentions Honda, the VTEC joke comes out…

03/05/2017 - 13:12 |
9 | 0
maurotehsilva

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

The VTEC was so strong, it created a temporary black hole that slightly produces more than 1000 hp, but the engine didn’t have smaller honda parts, which gave it a disadvantage

03/05/2017 - 16:46 |
2 | 1
The JDM Master

VTEC kicked in so hard that the engine couldnt handle it

03/05/2017 - 10:00 |
16 | 1
Joshua Lue

Cue the 9985598855987585 place grid penalty at the second race

03/05/2017 - 10:10 |
51 | 0

Starting from Iran

03/05/2017 - 14:54 |
20 | 0
DL🏁

Honestly, I love Honda, but when I see great drivers let down by slow&unreliable engines, I start to almost hate Honda :(

03/05/2017 - 10:13 |
12 | 1
RoyP

I feel bad for Fernando, he could be at the top and score good points… Even podiums… Only if he had a working car…

03/05/2017 - 10:26 |
15 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by RoyP

Should have taken that Mercedes drive..

03/05/2017 - 14:10 |
1 | 3
drumnut6p

Why cant honda make an f1 engine any more?

03/05/2017 - 11:16 |
1 | 1

They are very very complex and Honda hasn’t made anything like them. Even though Honda provided engines in the past, these current generation power units are as different as a kiwi and a watermelon. Every other manufacturer has been steadily changing over the years with the rules so they have a feel for everything. Also, Honda left F1 in 2008, KERS was introduced in 2009, so for F1 Honda has only recently produced uber high revving NA engines for it’s teams (edit: in the modern era). Now it’s dealing with turbo, hybrids.

03/05/2017 - 15:50 |
6 | 1
lowie t

They didnt expect the vtec

03/05/2017 - 11:35 |
1 | 3
Andrew Hill (BoxerRoadster Jr.)

Well, let’s hope Markus Winkelhock still has his overalls from 2007

03/05/2017 - 12:17 |
1 | 0
Nick danca

Vtec all the time is bad mmmkay

03/05/2017 - 13:30 |
0 | 4