IMO the whole homologation program is only threatened by one thing: a new engine entrant.
With homologation, the smart thing to do is spend a fortune so that when you homologate, you don't have to develop.
That's what Mercedes did. Honda could have had an engine last year ... but they knew homologation formulas requires a well developed engine.
So I think Honda will have a great engine. They are the world's biggest engine manufacture, they beat Toyota with first hybrid road car, they've sold lots of hybrids too. This formula is made for Honda as they've seen the Mercedes but have had an extra year to develop their package without any homologation restrictions.
Their previous engines were poor for one main reason - aero issues. But recall that for some time, their F1 car with /Button, was challenging Michael Schumacher / Ferrari. At a time when the FIA provided Ferrari with a rules veto power, which provided Ferrari with a competitive advantage. And then Honda were disqualified for highly dubious header tank fuel levels, when most other teams were doing the very same thing. And Honda were stuck out for three races and threatened that if they protested, they'd be totally disgraced. The Japanese backed away but you can be sure they have not forgotten that threat to their reputation. They've watched Renault save Nissan and then brand the RBR world dominating F1 car with Nissan's US luxury Infiniti brand and see Infiniti expanding its brand in other markets while Honda's luxury brand is stuck in the USA. They've watched the mayhem of Ducati being turned into a challenging MotoGP package by BMW ownership.
Bitter tastes there and the last engine did seem a poor aero package but such engine environments were pre homologation and who knows what was planned for the new F1 car before the financial crisis hit ... the financial crisis probably killed a new engine and the sale of the team may have been due to that alone, because the old engine wasn't right. So Honda pulled out, and their team - just handed across - won the championship and with a Mercedes label.
More bitter tastes no doubt but then - but they were financially responsible.
And now, they are rolling in money, hugely cashed up. Time for a reward then in a company that believes racing was the foundation of their greatness? And they are great - they are the largest motor manufacturer in the world. People pay more for a Honda powered device, knowing that it will be bulletproof and achieve what the device promises.
I expect a great motor and a body that matches. McLaren have been focused on the new car for next year, but its still shown glimpses of speed even with their current platform. The new one will take all the advantages that Honda will provide. Notably, a tighter package, and every cubic mm makes a big difference to aero. If the rear is compact, then I expect a competitive advantage in ""power on from medium corners, like what RBR provided to Vettel. The reason why these F1 cars are difficult to drive and slow, is due to their profound lack of rear grip. Design and engine to give better rear aero and a competitive rear grip advantage will occur, and that will make a very fast car. Hence a likely advantage in all the aero circuits. And due to homologation, no one else will be able to match a compact rear power unit. The packaging from the Scarbs video did reveal a major difference from the other power units used today, which would provide a very compact rear of the car. We'll know more soon I guess.
I doubt Renault can catch up for a few years due to homologation, so I'm expecting Honda to break the Mercedes bubble via packaging and aero benefits.
Can't weight: Ron Dennis is there to stir the pot, Honda is their to enrage Mercedes, and Alonso is there to extract more than was expected. Shame Adrian doesn't consult for them, just for the publicity and the fear factor. But I guess he's had well enough of Ron and feels obliged towards RBR. Mercedes would have hated that though ...
Edited by Melbourne Park, 17 November 2014 - 21:36.