We were as excited as kids on Christmas Eve when we learned that McLaren and Honda were partnering up for Formula One again. They’ve now revealed an impressive silver beast with a hint of red, to be driven by none other than the highly skilled Fernando Alonso and Jensen Button, both of whom are previous World Champions. They’ll steer this powerhouse on race tracks worldwide during the 2015 F1 season.
McLaren-Honda made quite a name for themselves in the past, being one of the winningest teams in Formula One history. The legendary duo of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost earned the driver’s and constructor’s championships annually from 1988 to 1991. This was mainly due to the powerful Honda engines1.
McLaren, after a not-so-impressive fifth position in 2014, bid goodbye to Mercedes as their engine supplier, choosing to reunite with their old ally. The result? The MP4-30, the sole car to carry Honda’s RA615H Hybrid Power Unit—a high-tech engine. Similar to the engines used the previous season (as F1 rules demand), Honda’s 1.6-liter V6 turbocharged engine will collaborate with two hybrid systems. One on the crankshaft during braking, and the other linked to the turbocharger to produce power when the driver is off the throttle. This will charge the car’s 50-pound lithium-ion battery. The engine thus resembles a standard road car more closely, indicating that F1’s research and development might influence your Honda Accord in the future.
The appearance of the car is the only thing we can discuss right now as we haven’t seen it in action yet. The car’s design has evolved from what McLaren raced last year. It features a smoother front nose and a stylish red stripe extending from the nose to the driver’s mirrors. Could this be a tribute to Fernando Alonso’s long-standing relationship with Ferrari?
The collaboration between McLaren and Honda is noteworthy, as Honda exclusively worked with McLaren in 2015. This arrangement allowed them to share information and plans without competitors knowing their moves. This is in contrast to the previous year when McLaren utilized Mercedes engines and had concerns about revealing technical details to a competing team—Mercedes, who were the clear winners in 2014.
Regardless, we believe the car is stunning and are eager to witness McLaren, Mercedes, and the other teams compete on 20 of the world’s premier racetracks. The 2015 season commences in Melbourne, Australia on March 15.
Key Stats and Information about the McLaren-Honda Partnership in Formula One
| Year | Car | Engine | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988-1991 | McLaren-Honda | Honda’s Engine | Won driver’s and constructor’s championships |
| 2014 | McLaren-Mercedes | Mercedes’ Engine | Fifth place |
| 2015 | McLaren-Honda MP4-30 | Honda’s RA615H Hybrid Power Unit | To be determined |