Whatttt… After a successful Barcelona F1 testing (well, McLaren-Honda manages a 35 lap, far better than only 6 the same day 1 year ago), Honda today announced a shocking development about the replacement of Honda F1 technical boss, Yasuhisa Arai effective March 1st.
Replacing Arai-san would be Yusuke Hasegawa, currently (taking deep breath to say it in one sentence) Honda Managing Officer and Director, Honda R&D Co., Ltd. Automobile R&D Center, Chief Operating Office, Advanced Research Division.
Hasegawa-san is not a stranger and if you think this guy is just another R&D guy, you are more than wrong, like wrong wrong. He’s been in many field of Honda research field, from applied technology, component, and most importantly, Asimo and hybrid development. He’s the one responsible for Honda groundbreaking Earth Dreams i-DCD hybrid system that put Honda (finally) at even ground with Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system. Subjectively, the i-DCD dual clutch transmission offers more engagement and feel unlike Toyota CVT transmission.
Though some would fuss about the impending doom McLaren-Honda is going to face yet again in the recent personnel change, I see the positive side of this. I emphasize Hasegawa-san on Asimo development, why? Because Asimo is a complex thing, and you know what else is complex? F1 power unit…. No, not engine. Formula 1 new power unit is the reason Honda is back, because it offers a challenge that is currently inline with Honda future planning, to provide hybrid solution to the masses.
It looks like Hasegawa-san position as F1 technical boss is a match made in heaven. However the funny thing is, some argue that F1 development never translates to production car development… Looking back, Honda VTEC was never derived from F1 technology, because it is forbidden for F1 cars then and and now to have variable cam. Now with Hasegawa-san involvement, it seems like F1 car will get a taste of consumer grade development experience.
Godspeed Hasegawa-san, now bring back Honda legendary engineering back into that power unit.
Source:
Yuusuke Hasegawa profile on development of earth dreams hybrid