New Honda engine and start from the back of the grid for Verstappen in Sochi

Since the British Grand Prix, scene of a violent collision between Max Verstappen et Lewis Hamilton mid-July, Red Bull knew that his foal would be forced to exceed his annual quota of driving elements at some point. And therefore to move back on the grid. The Austrian team had confirmation of this at the following round in Hungary.

It remained to determine the most opportune moment to bring down the sword of Damocles: Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) or Monza (Italy), circuits where it is possible to move up in the ranking with a car as competitive as the Dutchman's RB16B?

It was finally in Sochi, a track which has never favored Red Bull in the past, that the Red Bull decided to swallow the pill. A pill made a little less bitter by the sanction of 3 places inflicted by the stewards of the last Italian GP, ​​who judged Verstappen “ mainly responsible » of a new heated touch with Hamilton.

Red Bull and its star driver maintained a facade of suspense on Thursday and Friday in Russia, before making the most logical decision possible.

Verstappen will therefore be taking on board this weekend a 4th internal combustion engine (ICE), a 4th turbocharger, a 4th MGU-H, a 4th MGU-K, a 3rd battery, and a 3rd electronic control, i.e. an entirely new powertrain.

Immediate consequence, the Batavian, who is currently 5 points ahead of Hamilton in the Drivers' standings, will have to start from the back of the grid, behind the Ferrari de Charles Leclerc, who also received new equipment but made it known earlier.

A setback that the leader of the ranking would have done well without but this Russian GP represents, on paper, the ideal place to minimize the consequences.

In 2018, Verstappen had to start from 19th place on the grid and he managed to move up to 5th place under the checkerboard. His 2021 mount being much more efficient, it is not excluded to see the Flying Dutchman play for the podium on Sunday despite his initial handicap.