Honda aims for rule change to repair damaged engine Verstappen

F1 News

31 August 2021 at 11:05
Last update 31 August 2021 at 12:29
  • GPblog.com

Red Bull Racing will face grid penalties for both Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez at some point in the coming races, as the engines of both drivers were badly damaged in a collision with Mercedes. Honda is now focusing on a possible rule change, which could potentially allow Verstappen's power unit to be repaired.

Technical director Toyoharu Tanabe takes in the damage. "With Max's engine, racing is no longer possible. Checo's is completely destroyed," Crash.net quotes. "In the case of Max, it might be possible to still use the engine if we replace certain parts, but with the current rules we cannot replace the sealed parts."

Honda wants rule change for replacing engine parts

Unfortunately, those are the very parts the engine manufacturer wants to replace. "Of course Honda respects the rules, but in our situation, I think there is room to review those rules," Tanabe explained. "I think in this case it's possible to enter into talks about replacing parts."

"Then we can take another look at the incident, look at the data of the impact, the damage to the chassis and to the engine, and then we can discuss whether we are going to submit an application for this. Given the current financial situation, I think that could be considered," Tanabe concluded.