San Marino: Honda's Otmar Szafnauer speaks

Otmar Szafnauer
By Phil Huff (23/04/2004)
April 23 2004

Otmar Szafnauer, Honda Racing Development's top man, spoke to the press in today's Friday Five press conference, covering the proposed rule changes, Honda's improvement, and much more.

Otmar, what's made the difference so far this year? It's been fantastic...

Thanks for recognising the difference. I think we have made a step from last year, significantly and the engine's got more powerful, it's a bit lighter than it was in the past and naturally the new regulations had us focus on reliability. So we're more durable this year, we're a lot lighter and we're a little more powerful. That, in conjunction with the chassis and our new tyre supplier, I think the whole package has taken a step up and it shows on the track.

Has there actually been any differences at Honda itself?

We're always striving to improve at Honda and yeah, we have made some organisational changes that have helped us well as we've found some things and focused on reducing weight and increasing power.

Now, can I ask you for comments on the FIA proposals regarding engines, particularly their viability, if you feel that they are applicable?

Generally, I think the gist of the proposals was to slow the cars down and we at Honda are in favour of having a very safe formula but at the same time, allowing the design freedom and technical challenges that Formula One poses today. So in general, we would be against any changes that take away the technical challenges from our engineers. I think there are things in there like the rev limiters and things of that nature, and I think those things are an anathema to Formula One in general. But making the formula safer? We're definitely for that. Reducing engine size? I think it said 2.4 litre V8. We're not against that as long as the design freedoms remain open and Formula One remains the pinnacle of motor sport.

One of the proposals that Mr Mosley has put forward is the introduction of the standard ECU for everybody. He is clearly determined to get rid of electronic controls and I guess the introduction of the ECU is tied in with that. Can I ask you if the imposition of an ECU will reduce the interest of your manufacturer in Formula One? Would it be a danger to your participation?

We at Honda have that as an in-house process. We are open to suggestions but at this time we would have to study it further. We saw it as a strategic advantage to keep it in-house and with these proposals we would have to give it some thought before we answer.

The current Concorde Agreement runs out at the end of 2007, which, as far as I understand it anyway, means that you don't get a say because Max is saying this is what we are going to have for Formula One and it is not a case of negotiation, do you want to be here or not? Is that how you understand it?

I've just read them today and I thought they were proposals to be discussed at a meeting coming up in early May. Some of the proposals we agree with and others we don't, but hopefully they are just that and they are a discussion point and we will come to a solution point that is good for everybody.

Can you comment on whether you would accept proposals before the current Concorde Agreement for a major engine overhaul such as reduction to 2.4-litres?

If we are given ample development time and it items that are good for the Formula and for us then we would be willing to do some of it.

Can you clarify your position on supplying affordable customer engines? A year ago some of the smaller teams agreed to maintain traction control into this year in return for a cheaper deal on engines. They are perhaps a little let down that you have not come through with your promises this season.

We're not foreign to racing in many Formulas and having many teams using our engines, and when we came back this time into Formula One we did just that with BAR and Jordan. But we think at this time and looking forward to our future that we would like to stay with one team and focus our resources on one team.