As expected, Honda has been given an exemption by the FIA – Formula One’s governing body – for engine development during the 2015 Formula One racing season. When new engine development rules were set out earlier this year, Honda was the only 2015 engine-producing team not to be allowed to take advantage of the engine development loophole for the 2015 Formula One racing season. But that changed when the FIA allowed Honda to also develop their engines during the season as the rest of the teams will do rather than be forced to have one engine design due at the end of February as the rules currently state.
Although Honda will be allowed to develop their engine during the 2015 season, they will do so using the remaining “tokens” unused by the other three engine manufacturers [Ferrari, Mercedes and Renault] prior to the February deadline. Those teams each receive 32 tokens for engine development during that time frame and any unused tokens they have by the end of February will be averaged out and revert to Honda for the remainder of the year.
The first race of the 2015 Formula One racing season takes place in Melbourne, Australia on March 15, 2015.