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.

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Michael Delaney

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