Honda plan engine upgrades for next test

Engine manufacturers Honda are set to bring major upgrades to the next test in Barcelona, after a difficult first test.

McLaren, who run the engines, were only able to complete 79 laps in Jerez this week as problems with fuel pumps, oil pressure and sensors blighted their progress.

The size of the task facing Honda, who are a year behind the other manufacturers, was highlighted in South Spain, and it is clear that sharp progress needs to be made.

Honda’s motorsport chief Yasuhiso Arai told AUTOSPORT that the engine still needs to be develop before the first race in Australia.

“There are many difficulties that we had this week, but we will fix it before the next Barcelona test and get back to work again.

“The new engine will be a step up, because we are taking things step-by-step . Some parts will be final (race) parts, but not all.

“There are several testing parts still, and we will take final confirmation on those just before Melbourne.”

The next test starts two weeks today.

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