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Honda does not change engine for Verstappen yet, Mercedes does for Hamilton
- GPblog.com
The teams running with power sources from Mercedes or Ferrari all fired up a new engine at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Honda is sailing a different course with Red Bull Racing and AlphaTauri, as the Japanese power units were not replaced in Baku this weekend.
Mercedes, McLaren, Aston Martin and Williams appeared in the first free practice sessions with a new combustion engine, MGU-H, turbocharger, MGU-K and exhaust system. For Ferrari, Alfa Romeo and Haas F1, they completed their laps with new combustion engines, turbochargers and MGU-Hs. Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were the only ones from the Ferrari powered teams to also receive a brand new MGU-K.
The changes are not accompanied by a grid penalty. Teams are allowed to use a combustion engine, turbo, MGU-H and MGU-K three times during the 23 Grands Prix in 2021. The energy store, control electronics and exhaust systems may be changed twice per season.
Honda will not follow Mercedes
Honda is confident that the engines in the cars of Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Pierre Gasly and Yuki Tsuonda will hold out during the Grand Prix in Baku. Alpine too has decided to run with the Renault-engine that was also used during the first five races this season.