19/05/2015
NEWS STORY
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."