---
title: "Honda could catch up to rivals over winter"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/01/19/honda-catch-rivals-winter/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Bethonie Waring"
section: "F1 News"
published: "2017-01-19T17:54:13Z"
modified: "2017-01-19T17:54:13Z"
---

# Honda could catch up to rivals over winter

Honda boss Yusuke Hasegawa believes it’s possible for the power unit manufacturers to catch up with their competition over the winter break.

After a disappointing return to Formula One in 2015, Honda have been trying to close the gap to their rivals.

“From an engine power point of view, we have some target numbers, which are estimated from Mercedes and Ferrari,” Hasegawa told [Autosport](https://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/127796/honda-made-great-progress-in-2016--renault).

Hasegawa can’t guarantee Honda will be able to reach the other manufactures, though, as they can’t be sure how much Mercedes, Ferrari, and Renault have developed over the winter.

“Our target is to catch them up in 2017, reach the same level as now, but it’s difficult to know how much they will gain.”

Hasegawa also said McLaren is currently having to limit the engine’s best performance during some qualifying sessions.

“Once we can get very good engine performance, the next concern is reliability,” he said.

“Currently, we have to limit sometimes the best performance in qualifying. Until we get the best performance, which is what Mercedes is doing, I don’t know how much limitation we will have.”

![Charles Coates/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/01/599654602.jpg)

Others in the paddock have also been keeping an eye on the Japanese manufacturer’s development.

Honda is probably more concerned about their progress for their own sake, but rival Renault’s technical boss believes Honda closing the gap to the rest of the field would be good for F1 as a whole.

“It’s really important to Formula 1 that all the power unit suppliers are there or thereabouts because, for the road car manufacturers, the power unit is probably dearer to their heart than the chassis,” said Bob Bell.

“It’s important manufacturers stay in Formula 1 and for that to happen they need to feel that their power units are absolutely up there and competitive.”

Though the team still has work do, Bell praised the progress Honda has already made since their return to the championship.