Honda confidence at Monza?

[FourWheelDrift]

Although Anthony Davidson suffered an engine failiure in practice one and in P2 was only 19th (and then only did 9 laps) on the timesheets neither Rubens or Jenson have covered a single lap in both friday practice sessions. The only team and drivers to not go out at all.

With rain forecast do you think they have the confidence not to run their engines on Friday, saving them for Saturday qualifying and the race? Or perhaps worried that Monza might end up as an engine breaker?

www.formula1.com/race/result/765/10.html

[mg511]

Interesting, looking at the times the two questions I had were:
1) Have Honda got huge problems or are they very confident? no timed runs by both race drivers is very unusual
2) Sebastian Vettel, has he got a trick engine or he is just a boy wonder?

[FourWheelDrift]

I've just noticed Frank Montangy's time in the Honda powered Aguri. Maybe he's been doing the Honda engine work if Davidson needed an engine change and had little time to test things except a good race setup. Frank's quite high up for the car.

mg511 said:

2) Sebastian Vettel, has he got a trick engine or he is just a boy wonder?

Friday 3rd drivers do tend to run less fuel and higher revs and they aren't penalised for engine failures (no 10 grid penalty).

Edited by FourWheelDrift on Friday 8th September 14:33

[mg511]

[quote=FourWheelDrift]Friday 3rd drivers do tend to run less fuel and higher revs and they aren't penalised for engine failures (no 10 grid penalty).[quote]

I know that, even so to be quickest in both sessions, and in one in Turkey, is pretty impressive for a 19 year old.

[d-man]

Engine freeze for the next couple of years is based on this weekend's engines isn't it?

Wouldn't be surprised if Honda, knowing they have no chance at championships this season have gone with a proper grenade spec engine and will try and sort out the reliability later. In fact I'd be more surprised if they're the only team that's done it.

Edited by d-man on Friday 8th September 15:29

[mg511]

Engine freeze is at the Chinese GP. Words below from the BBC website, looks like Honda do have serious problems.

"Honda's problems stemmed from a decision to rush in early their 2007 engine because a freeze on engine development comes in to play at the Chinese Grand Prix next month.

Race drivers Jenson Button and Rubens Barrichello took no part in either hour, giving the team time to revert to engines of an older design without incurring a 10-place grid penalty."

[team underdog]

I understand Davidson only managed 8 laps before it blew for a second time. In order for the engine to be submitted for the 2007 freeze i think it has to do two grand prix distances (feel free to correct me) and judging by today that aint gonna happen! It will be a big blow for them if they have to submit the current engine as the basis for next year.

One the subject of Vettel, regardless of tyres and engine life a 22.6 is still bloody quick. He did 29 laps in the session, with Wurz in the Williams doing 26 laps (23.4). Ok so i dont know if he just went for a new tyre low fuel lap but regardless its impressive for a 19 year old to do that in the spotlight of an Italian GP weekend. I think we will hear a lot more of this kid, seems BMW have got a good hand in talent spotting!

[d-man]

Engine freeze was going to be the Chinese Grand Prix, but I thought it had been moved and GrandPrix.com seem to think its this weekend too.

I've never heard about the engines having to last 2 races before they're eligible, but it'd make sense to stop the majority of the grid from expiring inside a few laps Not that the FIA are renowned for doing anything sensible of course.

[megy]

Plus most if not all teams were at this track last week for 3 days of testing, and IIRC Honda ran pretty much the most laps during the test.