F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Honda development with Red Bull hits a snag… already!

A report out of Germany has alleged that the development of Honda's 2019 power unit was recently hit by a snag.

According to AutoBild, the Japanese manufacturer's collaboration with leading simulation and testing company AVL has been terminated due to a disagreement between an AVL project leader and Honda engineers.

Honda had been using AVL's innovative systems, previously exploited by Ferrari for the development of the Scuderia's engines, to validate and improve its development work on its F1 engine.

Red Bull motorsport boss Helmut Marko confirmed Honda's split with AVL, but the Austrian also revealed that engine guru Mario Illien had been drafted in to help Honda in its efforts to solve a major vibration issue linked with its ICE (internal combustion unit).

AutoBild's report indicates that the problem has so far prevented Honda from running its unit at full capacity, thus limiting the engine's output.

"For this issue, appropriate measures have been initiated," Marko told AutoBild.

For now, Marko isn't walking back his projections for 2019, the Austrian remaining bullish on Honda and Red Bull's prospects.

"Honda has already overtaken Renault and will be even better in 2019," he said.

"Then Max [Verstappen] has everything together to make it. He is improving all the time, there seems to be no limit for him!"

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Sebastian Montoya steps up to Formula 2 with Prema

Sebastian Montoya, the 19-year-old son of former Formula 1 star Juan Pablo Montoya, is set…

10 hours ago

Sauber finds its ‘Northern Star’ under Binotto’s leadership

When former Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto took on the role of Chief Operating Officer…

12 hours ago

Leclerc hails a season ‘without missed opportunities' in 2024

Charles Leclerc concluded the 2024 F1 season with a sense of satisfaction, the Ferrari driver…

13 hours ago

Coulthard sounds alarm over FIA president’s rift with F1 drivers

Former Formula 1 driver David Coulthard has voiced his dismay at FIA president Mohammed Ben…

15 hours ago

The rapid rise and fall of Super Aguri in F1

Super Aguri's application to join Formula 1 became a reality on this day in 2005,…

16 hours ago

Ferrari's 2024 Season: Marked improvement and a fight to the finish

Ferrari roared back into contention in 2024 to deliver their strongest season in years, thanks…

17 hours ago