Because they always consider themselves engine builders first and continually push the envelope. Witness:

High-risk Honda tests new V8
Thursday, 31, August, 2006, 16:12


Honda has introduced a high-risk approach to F1’s new engine homologation regulations by testing a brand new 2.4-litre V8 engine at Monza this week.

The new engine is part of a fast-track strategy to maximise the time available to manufacturers before designs are frozen after the Chinese Grand Prix, according to autosport.com.

After this time teams will be forced to use the same specification engines they use in the Japanese and Brazilian GPs until at least the end of next year.

The Brackley-based squad has apparently rushed through the new V8 power plant on the back of its win in Hungary and will run it in the next two races in Italy and China - with the aim of gaining an advantage on other teams who will continue to run with their current units next year.


"We have decided we are going to bring in the 2007-spec engine at Monza,” said Honda's senior technical director Shuhei Nakamoto.

"The reason is that we have finished the two-race cycle here and we will start the new one in Italy, culminating in China where we have to submit the engine for homologation.

"There have been lots of discussions and plan changing since Hungary, and this is one of the results."



However the move is undoubtedly a gamble for Honda, as with just a month to go until the engine freeze comes in to force there are no guarantees that the untried motor will be better than the one that powered Jenson Button to victory in Budapest earlier this month.

Indeed with so little running it could prove more fragile.


Honda is not the only team expected to run new specification engines in next weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, with both Renault drivers Fernando Alonso and Giancarlo Fisichella expected to run upgraded units in Monza.

GO HONDA!

 

Very interesting. This could compromise their reliability for the remaining races this year, but prove to be a long term benefit for the next few years.

 

Go for it. Since Honda doesn't have a chance to crack at either the driver or the manufacturer points this season, it won't matter much if the new engines blow up during races. Right now, they need valuable testing time. So it is smarter to use the remaining races to test out the new 2007-spec units as much as possible, and hopefully comes up with good results next season.

 

Good for them Get a jump on developement and hopefully a good start for next season

 

the reasons you guys state you think it's a good idea is what I was thinking about. Very little to lose this season and hopefully a lot to gain for next.

 

i agree with everyone's opinion christianing the new spec engine! better now then winter.

Quote from Vtec.net:

Honda Racing had an incident-filled day. Tenth fastest Jenson Button's running was cut short by a major accident at the exit of the Parabolica late in the afternoon, which badly damaged his car.

Teammate Rubens Barrichello, who was 14th overall, was forced to revert to a 2006 engine after his 2007 power unit blew up just after the start of the day's running - having completely 1,200km.

"It would have been impossible to do 2,000km at Monza with one engine," said Barrichello, referring to the need to change power units. "We did have some problems but it was a good test.

"Now I have been running the standard engine I could feel the difference to the new one – and there is more power definitely. I think we will be competitive here.

"Today the car is more competitive as I had some parts which were on Jenson's car yesterday and they seem to work."

 

I just hope the cars won't blow up in my face at Monza.

 

I can't tell you how many races I've been to hoping to see my hero du juor win and not see it happen. Worst case was watching Mansell's car grind to a halt in the hairpin when he had over a minute lead over Piquet at the Canadian GP. I thought my poor wife was going to pass out. Hopefully you see a great race. So jealous, Monza is gonna be so great!!!!!!
times a million dude

 

I like it. Honda

 

OK, I have to admit that reading this has given me a little glimmer of hope for the Honda Team... I think this move is very very smart and makes for a good strategy in the long run. It seems like the seasons are getting to be more and more about individual races, and instead of looking at the short term, Honda seems to be looking for the long run. I like that...

I would like to see Honda with competing points in the next few years with a run at placing in the title...

After all, technically, we helped fund part of that team!!

 

But even if the engine is infallable, Honda still has lots of hard work ahead on aero and chassis tuning which Honda is not very good at.

 

they haven't been good at it in part perhaps because they didn't have a wind tunnel until recently. Perhaps they'll get their act together and become one of the top 4 teams on a regular basis-a team that won't win many races but will become a regular fixture on the podium.

 

Although I agree it could end up being a great long term strategy, I can pretty much assure you that is not the genesis for this move, it is THIS year. Mr. Fry is VERY keen to make a run at 3rd in the WCC (more money from the pot if they get it) and I am pretty sure that is the real impetus for this calculated risk, the possible long term benefits not withstanding. JB has come alive since his win and Monza rewards HP so this makes sense, if they pop they can always go bak to 06 spec engines in China, if they feel they are still in the hunt for thrid in the WCC.

 

But unless the development of 06-spec and 07-spec engines goes in parallel, otherwise the 06-spec engines will be behind comparing to others if used in China.

 

TWO blown engines in 10 laps!!!

KAAMBLAMOOOO!

 

They didn't send Button or Barrichello out because of it. No turned laps on Friday, PLUS, rain is forecasted for tomorrow morning. It's going to be tough to qualify in this condition.

 

Isn't it that the Honda's perform better in the wet, as in Hungary ?

 

You were saying?
Looks like the CL transmission guys were sent to the F1 engine team.