Honda is unhappy following claims in the Spanish media attributed to one of its engineers.

The Japanese manufacturer, this weekend heading to the scene of some of its finest successes, is hoping to open its point account following a difficult start to the season.

However, its hopes were somewhat undermined when reports appeared in the Spanish media quoting a Honda development engineer as saying that the Japanese power unit will not be capable of challenging for wins until 2017.

Asked if Fernando Alonso and Jenson Button might be challenging for wins later this year, Ryo Mukomoto, is quoted by Marca as saying: "No. And next year will also be difficult. For a new team it is difficult to win its first race when others have worked more time together. In 2016 we will try to win a race, but there are no guarantees in the world of motorsport".

Admitting that the Honda power unit is "not close to its limit", Mukomoto is quoted as saying: "We are still improving it, but it is not simple. We fight, but we are still far away. We cannot take the limit as the other teams. Our engineers have managed to extract 70% of its power."

Indeed, listening to Mukomoto, it's all doom and gloom.

"Next year we will try to win a Grand Prix, but in the automotive world there are no guarantees," he is quoted as saying. "Our goal is to approach the third (placed) team at the end of this season. If we succeed, it will be a great achievement."

As fans of the Japanese manufacturer, McLaren and its drivers took to social media to express their disappointment at the negative revelations, Pitpass contacted Honda to see if things are as bad as Mukomoto says they are. The Japanese manufacturer was quick to respond.

"Honda was surprised to see an article on a supposedly reputable Spanish website regarding the young engineer Mr Mukomoto speaking about our Formula 1 project," said a spokesperson. "Mr Mukomoto has not worked on our Formula 1 project, nor has he done an interview with the website concerned, or with any other international media.

"The quotes that have been erroneously attributed to him are inaccurate, and we regard it as a shame that our engineer has been incorrectly exposed in this way. Moreover, both he and Honda have received angry fan mail, which is regrettable and unfair."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by SideGlance, 21/05/2015 1:44

"Non PR engineers, who would have thunk ??? Most engineers that are not PR engineers will tell both the good and the bad, but like usual an engineer's focus is what's wrong not what's ok or great.

Good/great needs no work, awful needs your full effort and attention - the truth gets you RE-ASSIGNED or FIRED !!

Do you think any Politician knows the TRUTH or would recognize any TRUTH ??? ;)

Honda PR = Liars, normal !!! ;)"

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2. Posted by The stogie, 20/05/2015 19:59

"I'm going to go out on a limb here and suggest that this engineer will be 'reassigned' within the company!"

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3. Posted by SideGlance, 20/05/2015 9:47

"We have now heard it twice, from Button and now this guy, and unless some huge step occurs soon, seems rather prescient to me !!

I am pulling for both honda and Mcl but never thought this year would be 'sweet and rosy', even next year will be very tough, look at Renault and they WANTED this lousy engine formula !! Honda will most certainly be better than Renault in its second year !! (be hard NOT to be better!!)"

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4. Posted by gturner38, 19/05/2015 19:54

"Even as a McLaren fan, I don't see negativity in those comments at all regardless of their accuracy. What are people expecting, another 50 HP added with every race? It's going to take time and realistically going from almost 3 laps down in Australia to competing with Williams by the end of the year would be huge improvement. As for their being no guarantees of a win in 2016, one only has to look at last year's Ferrari. It was a good car with two World Champions behind the wheel and didn't sniff a win. Williams had a great engine but didn't make it happen. There truly are no guarantees, and realism doesn't equal negativity. "

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5. Posted by F One, 19/05/2015 18:54

"What is wrong with the world? Why is anything other than instant success considered failure?"

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6. Posted by Joop deBruin, 19/05/2015 17:40

"At least Honda still has this world championship in sight: http://www.blmra.co.uk/championships"

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7. Posted by kiwi2wheels, 19/05/2015 15:43

"Why should he fall on his sword fro being realistic and truthful ?

The corporate spin doctors are all bent out of shape.....tough bikkies !!

Remember, the truth will set you free..............."

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8. Posted by nonickname, 19/05/2015 14:02

"Gone are the days of falling on your sword....unfortunately."

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9. Posted by ClarkwasGod, 19/05/2015 11:56

"So it's all true, then....."

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10. Posted by scf1fan, 19/05/2015 11:49 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 19/05/2015 11:52)

"This comment was removed by an administrator as it was judged to have broken the site's posting rules and etiquette."

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Honda rubbishes engineer's misreported 'comments'

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