Honda’s assessment of the world champion’s Canada engine appears to be yielding unfavorable results, and he will be penalized on the F1 grid.
Max Verstappen is bracing for potentially bad news, as Honda’s inspection of his Formula 1 power unit could lead to significant repercussions for his season. The engine, nearly new when it was removed from his car in Canada, is currently being examined at Honda’s headquarters in Sakura, Japan. If deemed irreparable, Verstappen will need to add an extra power unit to his pool, triggering a 10-place grid penalty since he has already used his fourth and final internal combustion engine at the Spanish Grand Prix.
This setback could be pivotal as Verstappen battles McLaren for race victories. The issue arose in Montreal when an energy recovery system problem forced Verstappen to stop early in the second practice session. While the problem seemed electrical, there were concerns about potential damage to the internal combustion engine, which was a new installation introduced that morning. Honda promptly sent the engine to Japan for analysis to determine if it could be salvaged or if it was a total loss.
Verstappen expressed his concerns in Canada, emphasizing the need to understand the issue and its implications for the rest of the season. With more than two weeks passing without positive news, it seems increasingly likely that the engine cannot be saved. Had no problems shown up, it would have been cleared and returned to Red Bull by now.
Due to the uncertainty, Red Bull introduced its fourth power unit at the Spanish Grand Prix to ensure they had enough components for upcoming races. Team Principal Christian Horner explained, “We introduced it to the pool, while the Canada engine has been returned for inspection to Japan.”
If the engine is confirmed unusable, Verstappen will need a fifth power unit soon, resulting in a 10-place grid penalty. Horner acknowledged this likely scenario, stating, “I think it’s inevitable that we’ll take the next engine at some point.”
Red Bull is accustomed to managing grid penalties, often opting to take them at races where overtaking is easier, such as the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Verstappen has previously taken grid penalties there, winning from sixth last year and from 14th in 2022. However, with Red Bull not holding the same performance edge this season, repeating such feats may be more challenging.
A grid drop for Verstappen would benefit McLaren and Lando Norris, Red Bull’s most consistent challengers, potentially allowing them to gain a significant points advantage if the penalty occurs at a critical time. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how Verstappen and Red Bull navigate this potential setback.
