Honda has released the first image of its 2015 V6 hybrid power unit which will be exclusively available to McLaren next season.
The Japanese manufacturer returns to the sport for the first time since it exited at the end of 2008 when it was a works manufacturer.
The company is nearing completion of its initial development programme for the new power unit and will release a short teaser video of the engine in action this weekend.
Speaking about their F1 project, Yasuhisa Arai revealed that the engine is now undergoing bench testing.
“Working toward Honda’s F1 participation starting in the 2015 season, development of the power unit is entering its prime phase at our R&D facility in Sakura (Tochigi, Japan), where we transferred our automobile motor sports development earlier this year,” he said.
“In addition to conducting simulations, we have moved onto the next stage where we conduct full-fledged bench tests of the engine while connecting the turbocharger and energy recovery systems.
“In the meantime, our racing operation base in Milton Keynes, United Kingdom, has become fully operational.
“At this time, we are unveiling an image of our power unit that is under development.
“The whole team is concentrating on this development, getting ready for the forthcoming start of F1 participation in six months.”
