While Mercedes have been surprised by the improvement in the performance of the Honda engine, the outfit could have vetoed them.
Ever since the V6 turbo-hybrid engines were introduced, Mercedes have been dominating the grid.
However, during the current 2021 season, Honda introduced a power unit that has placed them at par with Mercedes.
According to a report, the engine was developed by engineers who work at Honda in the jet engine department.
Mercedes vs Red Bull
During the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Mercedes were armed with a new power unit while Honda introduced theirs in the following race in France.
It was at that moment that Mercedes realized they are losing on significant time, especially down the straights.
At the Styrian Grand Prix, it was Max Verstappen who took the lead which led Mercedes to admit that they lacked pace.
They calculated a figure of two-and-a-half tenth loss to Honda down the straights.
When it comes to the engine, calculations show that the Honda power unit has increased the power by 13.6hp.
What does the report say?
In a report published by Auto Motor und Sport, the increase in performance could be due to two reasons.
“The increase in performance can be due to two reasons,” the report states.
“Either the Honda engines lose significantly in horsepower over their running time, or the development center in Sakura now has the security to allow the use of a sharper power level via improved reliability. Probably both are true.”
Power of veto
However, Mercedes does have the option to veto any new changes to the unit.
“Despite the halt in development, the engine manufacturers are allowed to continue working on stability. This does not happen behind closed doors,” their report states.
“The respective manufacturer must tell the FIA in detail which parts it will change in the drive and why. The other manufacturers are put in the picture by the FIA.
“If there is the slightest suspicion that this will also directly gain more performance, the application will be rejected.
“An increase in performance through the back door, on the other hand, is tolerated.
“The fact it is as much as Mercedes wants to have calculated is now causing astonishment, but Ferrari, Renault, and Mercedes could have vetoed it in advance.”
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