Horner explains the difference with Mercedes on straights in Sochi
F1 News
- GPblog.com
In the closing stages of the race at the Sochi Autodrom, Max Verstappen was told that he lost no less than six tenths per lap on the straights compared to Bottas. As a result, there was no point in continuing the chase. But what caused this low top speed?
The fact that the Mercedes engine has more power than the Honda is clear this season. However, the difference on the straights cannot be explained on the Sochi Autodrom alone. Christian Horner explained the challenges they faced at Sochi to Motorsport.com.
Specific problem in Sochi
"I think this circuit was always going to be difficult for us. We had quite a lot of clipping here and I think that has an effect. So I think it was sort of skewed by that energy recovery. But we knew that before we got here. So it was always going to be a more challenging race for us."
When Red Bull talks about 'clipping' it means the moment when the batteries switch from delivering power to charging mode. In Sochi that happened too soon and the Honda engine didn't deliver its full power on the whole straight. On other circuits, they will suffer less or none of this.