The second engine is now definitively written off
This was thick. Honda confirmed to the official Formula 1 website that Red Bull is “bringing back even more pain in the upcoming races”. They took a good look at Max Verstappen’s second engine and judged that the power source has been definitively written off. Max is already driving his third bike of this season. If Verstappen has to get a new engine again, he exceeds the substitution limit, he is put back ten places at the start.
Grid penalties Max Verstappen inevitable
The 2021 F1 season will have a maximum of twelve races. So you can actually be sure that the motor needs to be changed at least once. Other teams are only on their second engine and therefore have one penalty-free substitution to go. With Mercedes and Red Bull as well as Hamilton and Verstappen neck and neck in the championship, these grid penalties could cost Max Verstappen and the team their heads.
Tactical Switch
In return for F1-insider.com Team advisor Helmut Marko already told Red Bull that Red Bull is considering mounting the fourth engine in Belgium already. Not because the third engine already needs to be replaced, but because they will take the grid penalty sooner. According to Marko there is no better track to overtake. Spa thus offers the best chance to make up for pain from a ten-place grid penalty. Especially if it’s going to rain. We’re going to see it this weekend.
