Red Bull: Honda have "found and resolved" engine reliability issue

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner says Honda have "found and resolved" the reliability issue that deprived Max Verstappen of a solid bag of points in Australia.

The Dutchman suffered in Melbourne a fuel leak while running second to future race winner Charles Leclerc, a problem that forced the reigning world champion into his second retirement in three races.

Unfortunately, the pair of DNFs have left Verstappen sixth in F1's Drivers' standings, 46 points behind Ferrari's Leclerc who leads the championship ahead of this weekend's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

But the Red Bull charger will hopefully be spared more reliability woes at Imola, thanks to Honda's intervention.

©RedBull

"Yeah, we've been working with our colleagues at HRC in Japan and they have found the issue, they've resolved it and I believe we have a fix for this weekend," said Horner, speaking to Sky Sports F1.

"It was just very, very unfortunate. [It was] a part that had done tens of thousands of kilometres, without ever having an issue. But, unfortunately, [the issue] appeared at exactly the wrong time in Australia."

Read also: Verstappen pleased with 'good start' in 'hectic' qualifying

This weekend's round of racing in Italy will prove important for Red Bull and its star driver who will start the Sprint race from pole.

Thanks to F1's new sporting regulations, 8 points will be on offer for the winner of Saturday's 30-minute dash which, added to Sunday's maximum tally, including a point for fastest lap, means that 34 championship points are on offer this weekend.

"It's an important weekend for us," confirmed Horner. "There are a lot of points available this weekend and we want to make sure that we're there to capitalize.

"We can't afford for the gap to grow, again, to Ferrari, so we need to start eroding it rather than seeing it grow."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.