Having met with representatives of Honda the FIA is said to be considering making changes to the engine rules.

The meeting, which took place yesterday, followed Honda's call for the governing body to look at the situation that the Japanese manufacturer finds itself in on its return to the sport in partnership with McLaren.

A loophole in the regulations means that Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault do not yet have a deadline by which their engines must be homologated, whereas in 2014, the first year of the new formula, the deadline was 28 February.

However, as a new manufacturer, Honda must observe the same (28 February) deadline its rivals adhered to, a rule the Japanese manufacturer claims is unfair.

Last week Honda (and McLaren) revealed they had been in touch with the FIA and though unwilling to make any further comment on the situation admitted that they had called for "fair competition".

Following yesterday's meeting, though still unwilling to give much away, a Honda spokesperson did at least tell the BBC that talks were "constructive" and that the meeting "went well".

Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault now have the freedom to carry out performance developments into 2015 providing they do not exceed the 32 areas of development (each known as a token) outlined in the regulations and do not exceed the four power unit limit per car. Interestingly, though Honda is (currently) operating under the 2014 regulations it, like its rivals, will be limited to four power units per car this year.

As one would expect, the 'token system' is somewhat complicated.

This year, Mercedes, Ferrari and Renault can change 32 tokens - whereas changing 100% of the permissible components would require 66 tokens. In 2016 they can change 25 tokens, in 2017 twenty, in 2018 fifteen and just three in 2019 and again in 2020.

Honda, which currently has no tokens, is therefore looking for a token gesture from the FIA.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Spindoctor, 15/01/2015 11:15

"These people couldn't even find their way to the brewery, let alone organise a piss up....."

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2. Posted by Editor, 15/01/2015 11:02 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 15/01/2015 11:06)

"Just to see how complicated it all is, check out page 89 of this pdf

http://www.pitpass.com/images/pdfs/2015_technical_regulations_03_12_14.pdf

"

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3. Posted by SideGlance, 15/01/2015 5:18 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 15/01/2015 11:06)

"Does this mean that Honda is the 'Token' Japanese engine company ? ;)

Homologation in Feb 2015 for Honda !!

Interesting system of tokens, allows you to 'concentrate' your efforts on your own engine weaknesses, undisclosed until fix occurs - or add new innovation.

Can an Engine company do team specific 'token' changes (not on other teams engines) ?

** "If a government went F1 racing, it would look like Pooping Pigs on roller skates !" ** It would stink, be noisy, farcical, waste of money and mess up everything !!! ;)

I am sure this system is for those who do not want to state their weaknesses & unreliable areas while not pissing Mercedes off much - they will just innovate & reliability.

I still absolutely hate these engines, as they are or if 1000hp, or the formula should have been the original proposal - 4 cylinder 1500cc turbo hybrids - more relative to real world - (the non sense this engine formula was SOLD as by Max M. & Renault !! certainly has not improved the show!!!)"

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4. Posted by Canuck, 15/01/2015 1:06 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 15/01/2015 1:07)

"The way you have expressed this article it makes it sound as if the disparity is even worse that earlier stated and leaves a lot of question.
1 - you make it sound as if Merc - Renault - Ferrari can use a non homologated power unit and keep up development throughout the year. I was under the impression they could not use a 2015 unit until it is homologated.

2 - If Honda is limited to the same amount of changes next year as the other manufacturers, does it means they cannot earn 32 tokens in their first year?

3 - How can this type of ruling entice other manufacturers (Toyota, Ford, VW/Audi/Porche, etc) into coming into the sport as many want (ie FOM- CVC -FIA) ?

Not only is this token system complicated -- it is a real mess

"

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5. Posted by bfairey, 14/01/2015 18:57

"What a load of old cobblers."

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6. Posted by kiwi2wheels, 14/01/2015 18:26

"If a government went F1 racing, it would look like .........."

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7. Posted by F1 Yank, 14/01/2015 17:52 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 15/01/2015 11:06)

"I guess I really do not understand this so I will recap. "Since Honda did not "homologate" their engine as of Feb 28, 2014, they will not be allowed token development of their engines during the 2015 racing season although the other manufacturers will be allowed."

Okay, if this is true, F1 is doomed."

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8. Posted by Paul C, 14/01/2015 17:49

"Four power units means every race will be an early sprint and a slow cruise. I can imagine how much panic team managers will have after any engine maladies. Heaven forbid that drivers will accelerate to pass without KERS or DRS. "

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Honda seeking token gesture from the FIA

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