Shintaro Orihara, Honda’s boss: “In Mexico the air density is lower and the key point will be how we make the turbo work”

Despite leaving empty-handed, Fernando Alonso He had a better pace than expected in the last United States GP in Austin. The strategy was not correct, but there were moments where the podiums did not seem like a pipe dream. Less than a week later, the Mexican GPwhich will be a challenge for the new F1 engines due to the high altitude.

Sling continued to be the great drag on the performance of the Aston Martin in Texas, but the performance was better than what was seen in Singapore, for example. For that very reason, Shintaro Oriharachief engineer of the Japanese, pointed out the key to finding the key to the Mexican event.

“At this altitude, heThe density of the air becomes lower. To have the same air circulation as at sea level, the turbocharger must work much harder,” Orihara explained in Honda’s preview.

“He important and key point becomes how much we can work the turbo and how closely we can operate the engine compared to when we are at sea level. This year there is no assistance from the MGU-H, so the operation of the turbo is enhanced,” he concluded.

Honda, unfortunately for Alonso’s interests, continues to be the engine with the least performance on the entire grid. The efforts are already deposited in the power unit of the next campaign, as is logical. There will be a first evolution in the first race of 2027 and, after about eight races, a second will arrive. However, until then the mission is to collect the maximum amount of data possible and that is why finishing the races is essential and this at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez is a challenge.