Honda implemented countermeasures after Verstappen's engine problems

The week of beating between the Tuscan and Russian Grands Prix will have at least allowed him to release the frustration accumulated after a fortnight in Italy marked by a double retirement due to engine problems. 

Since the beginnings of the alliance Red Bull-Honda in 2019, Max Verstappen had always been careful not to criticize the Japanese engine head-on. With 3 victories last year, the Dutch virtuoso had no reason to complain anyway.

The situation has changed somewhat this season with a more capricious RB16 and a Honda engine slightly further behind the competition. More than a lack of power, although mentioned several times by the Red Bull leader in 2020, it is the recurring reliability problems which got the better of his patience and his reserve. 

At Mugello, Verstappen made his thoughts known in flowery vocabulary on the radio after having suffered a propellant problem which had manifested itself on the grid lap. 

« After Mugello, our priority was to analyze in depth the causes of Max's abandonment, said Toyoharu Tanabe, Honda technical director, ahead of the Russian GP.  Our investigation revealed that several factors led to the problem.

We were able to apply countermeasures to address each of these factors and ensure that the damage does not repeat itself ». 

At almost 23 years old, Verstappen still has his life ahead of him but he is already competing in his 6th world campaign and has never yet found himself in a position to challenge for the title. But the years fly by at full speed Formula 1...

When he extended his lease with Red Bull until 2023 last winter, it was on the basis of a 2019 season rich in promise and with the idea of ​​shaking up the world hierarchy, if possible from 2020, but especially in 2021 with the advent of new technical regulations. 

Covid-19 swept away this ambitious schedule and Verstappen, like Charles Leclerc in Ferrari in a way, finds himself trapped in a long-term contract. And given the striking force and mastery of Mercedes, nothing says that the German manufacturer will not continue to dominate the sport in its new era.

In the meantime, Christian Horner was forced to play firefighter on duty to put out the fire started by his driver's fiery tirade at Mugello. 

« Max's anger after yet another abandonment is totally understandable, the Red Bull Racing team principal declared to the team's official website last week. We had a very efficient and much better balanced car. This is what made the situation even more infuriating. 

Expressing your dissatisfaction on the radio out of emotion is perfectly understandable. Max felt immense frustration because he is hungry for success. If he didn't have this inner fire, he wouldn't be this formidable talent that we want to see play and win. He must evacuate the frustration from his body and project himself forward ». 

Not easy when only one team has the means to win. Let's hope that the 2022 revolution changes the situation in this area.

Before that, Honda must have made its position known. The engine manufacturer from Sakura (Japan) is not currently involved with Red Bull and its sister team Alpha Tauri until 2021. Could an announcement come soon? After all, Horner and Tanabe are expected at an FIA press conference this Friday in Russia…