Honda has announced that the Max Verstappen at Mugello was caused by several factors. The Japanese engine supplier has now discovered where things went wrong and has subsequently taken countermeasures.
The past two Grands Prix were not spent on Verstappen. The Dutchman retired halfway through the Grand Prix of Italy with motor problems, so he was unable to take advantage of all the chaos on the track. The premier class then settled on the Mugello circuit, where Verstappen recorded promising times right from Friday. On Sunday he then came out of his place very well, but immediately afterwards his power dropped and he dropped backwards. It ultimately resulted in his third clear of the season.
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Honda has worked hard over the past two weeks to uncover the root cause of these problems: “Our priority since Mugello has been to find out what caused Max’s problems,” said Technical Director Toyoharu Tanabe. “Our research showed that the problems were caused by several factors. We have been able to take countermeasures, with the aim that it will not occur again.”
This weekend the Grand Prix of Russia is on the program. It will be held at the Sochi Autodrom, a track on which a Honda engine has never crossed the line first: “This track presents a very different challenge than the previous three high-speed circuits: Spa, Monza and Mugello,” says Tanabe. “It has some of the characteristics of a street circuit, but also two long straights. We look forward to a problem-free weekend with all four cars.”
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