The change follows the reestablishment of a Formula 1 technical group at Honda in Japan, which gives HPD access to internal aero resources that were not available when its 2015 aero kit was under development.

"Primarily we used Wirth Research to develop our 2015 kits, however with the establishment of the F1 group in Japan, we've been working more with our Japan group to try to keep it more within using Honda resources, as opposed to outsourced stuff ," HPD president Art St Cyr told RACER.

"We were out of F1 for many years, so that group [in Japan] had been integrated into the production car R&D. With the establishment of the F1 program, that group has gotten back together as a racing organization, so there are more [internal] resources available than when we first started with these aero kits. So we have been able to tap into the Honda know-how to work on the 2016 aero kit. And as such, you'll see a lot of Formula 1 influences in terms of shapes on the aero kit itself."

Although part of the aero development work has been redirected internally, St Cyr said that Wirth continues to retain an involvement with the IndyCar program.

"To say that we haven't been working with Wirth Research in that process is not correct," he said. "But we have been shifting a bit of the responsibility away from Wirth Research and into internal Honda resources to develop the 2016 kit."

HPD is currently upgrading its aero kit under IndyCar aero rule 9.2, which allows for limited performance updates, as well as 9.3, the 'catch-up clause' that opened the door for it to make additional changes to its road/street and short oval kit after IndyCar determined that there was a significant performance deficit to rival Chevrolet. The first new parts will be visible on the car during testing in January.

Meanwhile, HPD has also strengthened the engine side of its IndyCar program with the addition of former Ferrari F1 head of engine development David Salters.

"He is basically the technical director, although we don't use that exact title," said St Cyr. "But he's in overall charge of engine development from a technical perspective. It's a new position.

"One of our biggest issues this season was with the durability of our engines, which was a very un-Honda-like historical trend that we’re trying to turn around. So some of the things we’re working on; we’re obviously trying to improve the overall performance, but we’re also looking at things like improving drivability and improving reliability to solidify our performance next year."