Honda will return to Formula 1 in 2015 as engine supplier to McLaren. Recently, it has released a video showing its new power unit being bench tested.
The video was revealed after the Japanese Grand Prix. Perhaps it was done to demonstrate that the engine maker keeps to the schedule, as quite recently speculations have been circulating around the Internet that Honda would not be able to get ready with the new turbocharged V6 on time.
A three-minute video includes a distinct engine revving sound at the Honda stand.
However, this is not the end of speculations about the new power unit as McLaren is developing a new race car, which should be used for the engine tests before the start of the official pre-season testing at Jerez.
Everybody knows that it’s against the rules. The motorists have signed an agreement, based on which they do not perform any trials outside the official testing. However, there is a significant nuance. Technically, Honda is not a World Championship participant at the moment.
Not everyone likes such state of things. “You can't put an engine in an experimental car or whatever and just drive around. It's clearly against the rules. McLaren is enrolled as a team,” said Mercedes motorsport head Toto Wolff. “And if they have an engine supplier (for 2015), then you can't just say 'I don't know who my supplier is. In this case, the rules are quite clear”.
