Enter the Samurai (Honda, Toyota...)

[veeten]

With Honda now stating they will act as a supplier to other teams post-'15, which teams will step up and sign on as a recipient, and when does Toyota enter the fray and commit similar offerings.

How do you lot see things turning out?

[F1Pete]

I believe Honda will come on strong. They have had time to do their RandD see witness on track what works and what doesn't. Also, keep in mind that McLaren has complete Merc powerplants for Honda to study. That's more than half the battle. I don't see Toyota getting into the mix after the last foray.

[Tucky]

I could see Lotus switching, considering they were pushed out of Renault by RB and Merc could just be a "stopover" until Honda are back after 2015. Really it all depends on Honda's competitiveness. They might have had been able to R&D the whole year but they'll have no running to iron out any kinks until Jerez whereas the other manufacturers should be just perfecting their engines.

[SennaTheGreat]

If any nation can make a reliable, quick engine it'll be the Japanese. I think next season Honda will be looking at a couple of wins (hopefully) and building for an assault for the 2016 championships.

[Paradise City]

Toyota is too focused on WEC and still healing from being burnt the last time. I don't really expect any other Japanese manufacturer to make an entry.

As for other Honda 'partners'; it really depends if they are competitively priced vis a vis the Mercs as well the capacity of Honda to offer a package of support that would be advantageous to given team. Short answer is, I dunno.

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Tucky

I could see Lotus switching, considering they were pushed out of Renault by RB and Merc could just be a "stopover" until Honda are back after 2015. Really it all depends on Honda's competitiveness. They might have had been able to R&D the whole year but they'll have no running to iron out any kinks until Jerez whereas the other manufacturers should be just perfecting their engines.

Renault needs a second team, just like Honda. That's either Lotus or Toro Rosso.

[BertMk2]

Originally Posted by SennaTheGreat

I think next season Honda will be looking at a couple of wins (hopefully) and building for an assault for the 2016 championships.

That assumes that McLaren build a decent chassis - they've got the best engine this year and are nowhere. Even if the Honda is equal to the Mercedes engine there are going to be no wins if the chassis is a clunker.

[MagVanisher]

Speaking of Honda, will they have another team besides McLaren? I hope it's Lotus.

[veeten]

Originally Posted by MagVanisher

Speaking of Honda, will they have another team besides McLaren? I hope it's Lotus.

It depends, after the inaugural '15 season w/ McLaren, they'll open their powertrain supplying to others on the grid. Torro Rosso & Sauber are contract w/Ferrari, Force India has Mercedes, and Red Bull & Lotus are Renault.

This leaves teams like Williams and the 'backmarkers'; Marussia, formerly Caterham, as well as the up-coming Haas F1 team.

[Hawkwood]

Weren't Haas 'leaning' towards Ferrari?
And what's happened/happening with the Romanian Forza Rosa team? Are they the buyers of Caterham?

[VIVA GT]

Originally Posted by veeten

It depends, after the inaugural '15 season w/ McLaren, they'll open their powertrain supplying to others on the grid. Torro Rosso & Sauber are contract w/Ferrari, Force India has Mercedes, and Red Bull & Lotus are Renault.

This leaves teams like Williams and the 'backmarkers'; Marussia, formerly Caterham, as well as the up-coming Haas F1 team.

Williams - Honda? It's happened before and was rather successful (but ended rather sourly if I remember correctly...)

[ScotsBrutesFan]

Originally Posted by veeten

It depends, after the inaugural '15 season w/ McLaren, they'll open their powertrain supplying to others on the grid. Torro Rosso & Sauber are contract w/Ferrari, Force India has Mercedes, and Red Bull & Lotus are Renault.

This leaves teams like Williams and the 'backmarkers'; Marussia, formerly Caterham, as well as the up-coming Haas F1 team.

Toro Rossi are not with Ferrari. As of this year they have Renault and Red Bull Power Units and gearboxes