Honda makes changes to F1 engine after Verstappen problem
Honda has made changes to the electrics and software of its Formula 1 engines in a bid to avoid a repeat of the problems that hit Max Verstappen at the Tuscan Grand Prix.
Verstappen's hopes of challenging the Mercedes at Mugello were over within seconds of the start when his power unit suddenly lost energy, and he tumbled down the order prior to getting caught up in a first-lap accident.
Honda spent the time after the race getting to the bottom of went wrong, and concluded the problem was not related to the main components of the engine, including the MGU-K nor MGU-H.
Instead, it suspected that a combination of factors relating to both the engine's electrics and software came together to trigger the issue.
In response, the Japanese car manufacturer has done work to try to avoid a repeat of the issues.
Speaking ahead of the Russian Grand Prix, Toyoharu Tanabe, Honda's F1 technical director, said: "Using the time since Mugello, our priority has been to carefully analyse the reason for Max's retirement in that race.
"Our investigation revealed that several factors caused the problem and we have been able to apply countermeasures to deal with each of these, with the aim of ensuring the fault does not happen again."
Verstappen was extremely frustrated by the retirement in Mugello, and Red Bull vowed to fully update him on the situation, and what Honda had done, before he travelled to Russia.
Reflecting on the situation after those talks, Verstappen said he had faith everyone was doing all they could to improve things for the future.
"It is of course not nice leaving a race weekend in that way, especially when I think we had a good chance of more than just a podium but we have to put that behind us," he said about Mugello.
"We have of course discussed the issues as a team and everybody is working in the same direction and trying to fight for every possibility in every single race that we can."
As part of its original plan, Honda will introduce some final new power unit elements for drivers this weekend, with this being the final change before the end of the season.
The move to the third power units is not related to any of the problems that emerged at Mugello.
Related video
F1 drivers warned over backing up and track limits at Sochi
Alonso willing to help Renault with 'anything needed' in 2020
Mercedes has been talking up F1 struggles, claims Alonso
Mercedes has been talking up F1 struggles, claims Alonso Mercedes has been talking up F1 struggles, claims Alonso
Albon: Mastery of F1's tyre "dark art" key to Q3 surprise
Albon: Mastery of F1's tyre "dark art" key to Q3 surprise Albon: Mastery of F1's tyre "dark art" key to Q3 surprise
How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule
How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule
Russell: Mercedes F1 will "go for it" to beat Verstappen in Australian GP
Russell: Mercedes F1 will "go for it" to beat Verstappen in Australian GP Russell: Mercedes F1 will "go for it" to beat Verstappen in Australian GP
Perez says brake problem made him "a passenger" in Q1 incident
Perez says brake problem made him "a passenger" in Q1 incident Perez says brake problem made him "a passenger" in Q1 incident
Why Red Bull's biggest F1 adversary is now itself
Why Red Bull's biggest F1 adversary is now itself Why Red Bull's biggest F1 adversary is now itself
F1 live: Follow the Australian GP as it happens
F1 live: Follow the Australian GP as it happens F1 live: Follow the Australian GP as it happens
F1 teams agree to pursue standalone sprint format for Baku
F1 teams agree to pursue standalone sprint format for Baku F1 teams agree to pursue standalone sprint format for Baku
Supercars parity concerns revived at Albert Park
Supercars parity concerns revived at Albert Park Supercars parity concerns revived at Albert Park
Perez, Bottas to start F1 Australian GP from pitlane
Perez, Bottas to start F1 Australian GP from pitlane Perez, Bottas to start F1 Australian GP from pitlane
How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule
How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule How F1's new era has exposed the downside of its most important rule
Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion
Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion Why Piastri’s F1 homecoming will be a landmark occasion
The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023
The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023 The recent Australian GP form history that will boost Ferrari in F1 2023
The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories
The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories The cycle of F1 upheaval Williams must end to rediscover past glories
The state of play in F1's technical silly season
The state of play in F1's technical silly season The state of play in F1's technical silly season
Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers
Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers Ranking the top 10 pre-war grand prix drivers
Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries
Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries Why drivers are the least of Ferrari’s F1 worries
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side How Vasseur has begun Ferrari’s mission to keep Leclerc on side
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.