Honda introduced engine upgrade for Verstappen at Spa

If its departure as an engine manufacturer at the end of the season has been recorded since October 2020, Honda continues to work on the engines used by Red Bull et Alpha Tauri, and in particular on that of Max Verstappen, as evidenced by the recent confidences of the Hamamatsu manufacturer.

As the Russian Grand Prix looms, scene of the 15th round of the year, and a possible new duel between the Dutchman and Lewis Hamilton, Honda has confirmed an update on its engine which is not new. In addition to the ICE (internal combustion engine) at the start of the season, the Japanese engine manufacturer revealed that it had introduced a new battery (Energy Store) into the powertrain of Max Verstappen's RB16B in Belgium after the summer break.

« This new battery was developed in a project that took several years to complete with the aim of combining energy efficiency improvements with significant weight reductions., reveals Yasuaki Asaki, in charge of engine development. In what will be the company's final season in the sport, Honda has managed to introduce a new battery just in time for the start of the second half of the season ».

With this new element in his engine, the introduction of which was only planned for 2022, Max Verstappen was in great spirits. In Belgium, he took pole before being given the winner of a Grand Prix “contested” in two laps due to rain. The following week in the Netherlands, he had a perfect weekend punctuated by the victory at home. In Italy, he inherited pole thanks to the Valtteri Bottas penalty after finishing 2nd in the sprint race. In the race, he was unable to make all his efforts due to the collision with Lewis Hamilton. Signs that show the progress made by Honda.

« In order to achieve the ultimate goal of defeating Mercedes and win the championship before leaving the F1 At the end of the 2021 season, we realized the need to improve performance, continues Yasuaki Asaki. Therefore, the development of the new battery has been brought forward from the initial target of 2022 in order to introduce it during the 2021 season ».

Once Honda's departure has been confirmed, Red Bull will recover Japanese powertrain technology and will continue to exploit it.