Honda: "No small issue, very bad situation and the impact was big"

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14 September 2020 at 11:11
Last update 14 September 2020 at 14:33
  • GPblog.com

Honda suggest they have a big problem with the engine of Max Verstappen. The Japanese manufacturer is also unsure whether the Red Bull Racing driver could have continued his journey without a crash in the first corner. Closer investigation should reveal what exactly caused it.

"We are now investigating the cause of the issue. At the moment I cannot tell you if we could continue, or we had to retire (without a crash)", Toyoharu Tanabe says in an interview with The Race. In any case, it is a serious problem that cannot be solved with one push of a button. "But the issue is not small. The impact was big. So, it was a very bad situation.”

Honda is now going to carry out physical research into the power unit, while the R&D department in Sakura has already started analysing the race data. According to the Honda top man, no plan has yet been determined for how to proceed. First of all, the cause must be identified and it must be determined whether there is permanent damage.

In any case, in Russia it will be possible for Verstappen to change his engine without a grid penalty. The 22 year old Limburger still has enough engine components left in his pool.