Honda’s situation in Formula 1 is beginning to look desperate. In Zandvoort they introduced a new version of their power unit, which, after three races, can already be said to be as uncompetitive as the first. And in Formula 1 a fear has begun to spread: that it could derail Fernando Alonso.
The president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, made his stance clear by indicating he was prepared to help Honda in whatever was necessary. Far from provoking indignation among rivals, it seems to have sparked a degree of consensus. The latest example are the words of Toto Wolff, Mercedes chief: he is in favor of rescuing Honda.
The real fear is losing Honda from Formula 1
That the head of a federation openly expressed his intention to help a contender should be a scandal, but that is not what is happening in Formula 1. Ben Sulayem said that “I will ask Alonso what they need to improve performance.” Conversations with Alonso and with Aston Martin are already underway, and everyone seems to be fine with it.
The latest to speak has been Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal. On the side of the team that currently leads both world championships, there is no opposition to rescuing Honda. On the contrary, Wolff says that “we want them to be competitive and successful” and we want to have all the top constructors within the sport.
Therefore, when asked about the FIA’s maneuvers, Wolff considers that “the conversation between the president and Alonso was fair. They need more. The rules have been made to do what is best for the sport, and adjustments from time to time are necessary.” Remember that Mercedes had already shown openness to helping Honda at the start of the season.
And although everyone insists that their fear is that Fernando Alonso will retire, in reality that is merely camouflage. The real fear in Formula 1 is losing Honda, which would be a blow to organizers and teams. Lawrence Stroll has already threatened to separate Aston Martin from Honda, leaving it without customers.
For the moment, there is nothing firm yet about what aid the FIA will implement for Honda. Earlier in the season the ADUO was expanded, but it has not been enough. Now there is talk of allowing more homologations and a larger economic limit solely for Honda, which has also put its Tokyo-based experts to work on the project.
And the point is that if Honda does not have a competitive engine by 2027, all of Formula 1 could suffer a setback that right now no one wants to discuss.
Images | Mercedes, Formula 1, Aston Martin
