F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Verstappen engine gets clean bill of health from Honda

Max Verstappen's Honda engine that powered the Red Bull RB16B that was written off in the Dutchman's crash at Silverstone two weeks ago was given the all clear by the Japanese manufacturer after Friday's opening day of running in Hungary.

The massive crash triggered by Verstappen's contact with Lewis Hamilton on the opening lap of the British Grand Prix practically reduced the Dutchman's car to scrap carbon but the power unit was salvaged and sent back to Honda's base at Sakura in Japan for a thorough inspection.

The Japanese manufacturer was allowed to replace several of the engine's components but only proper running conditions would reveal if the unit could be kept in Honda's pool of hardware.

The engine was subsequently given a clean bill of health after Friday's first practice.

"It was good to see that Max is not suffering any ill effects from the Silverstone crash and we were able to check that the PU that he used in the British GP weekend is working as normal," said Honda F1 technical director Toyoharu Tanabe.

The engine is Verstappen's second complete unit of the season, with each driver allowed over the course of the year three ICEs, turbo chargers and MGU hybrid elements before grid penalties kick in.

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

Mekies: ‘We all agree’ F1 must bring back flat-out qualifying

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies has made it clear: Formula 1 must rediscover the…

7 hours ago

‘Rusty, me?’: Perez fires back at Andretti’s Cadillac claim

Sergio Perez isn’t taking lightly the suggestion that his return to Formula 1 with Cadillac…

9 hours ago

Formula 1’s heartfelt gift to new dad Fernando Alonso

While Aston Martin’s F1 car is currently giving Fernando Alonso some massive engine vibrations and…

10 hours ago

Hill says unhappy Verstappen ‘should stop and do something else’

For a driver who has spent years bending F1 to his will, Max Verstappen suddenly…

12 hours ago

‘He’s up against it’: Brundle fears Sainz facing career dead end in F1

For Carlos Sainz, what was meant to be a strong second season at Williams is…

13 hours ago

Alonso’s brutal verdict: ‘High-speed corners now charging stations’

Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has delivered another withering verdict on Formula 1’s 2026 regulations…

14 hours ago