Honda are planning on introducing their final power unit upgrade of the 2016 season at the Malaysian Grand Prix next weekend, with the Japanese manufacturer set to spend its remaining three development tokens.
It's not yet known whether Honda will provide the unit for both Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso – with the matter still to be discussed with McLaren – but Honda's F1 chief Yusuke Hasegawa believes it may be best to split the upgrade as it will mean both incurring a grid penalty as they have already used the maximum number of units.
"I don't want to get both cars behind [with grid penalties] from a race tactics and a constructors' point of view," he is quoted by Autosport. "It might be better to split the tactics for the cars."
Hasegawa admitted Honda could have introduced the upgrade at the race following Malaysia in Japan, but don't want to upset the local fans.
"I don't think the fans will let me take a penalty in Japan," he added. "I will not be allowed to walk into the circuit!"
Specific details on which area of the power unit will be upgraded have yet to be confirmed and likely won't be until the upgrade has been signed off by the FIA.
