Max Verstappen Set to Experience Honda’s New Engine in ’21 Red Bull Challenger for the First Time

Max Verstappen will be testing the new RB16B, Red Bull’s car for the upcoming season of Formula One. After the car has been driven around the track at Silverstone by the Dutchman. The team will fly to Bahrain to conduct the pre-season testing.

The RB16B is the successor to last year’s car, the RB16. The newly developed car is powered by a new Honda engine. The drivers will behind the wheel where they will put 100 laps around the track which must be filmed as per the regulations.

“Verstappen will be the first to take action in the new Red Bull next week” quotes RacingNews365.

Max Verstappen given first preference

The Milton-Keynes-based outfit will put their prodigy, Max Verstappen, behind the wheel of their new car next week. Meanwhile, his Mexican teammate Sergio Perez will need to be eased into the team by driving an older car.

RacingNews365 reported that the plan is to have Perez test an older model Red Bull for one or two days at the Silverstone circuit next week. The number of test days depends on the weather conditions, which have been very changeable recently.

However, Perez will put in the laps in Red Bull’s 2019 car which is backed by a Honda engine. If in case the car isn’t ready, the Mexican might reportedly drive Alpha Tarui’s car at Silverstone.

Red Bull becoming independent

The engine freeze did help Red Bull, as Honda leaves the Formula One grid after 2021. They will transfer the power units to the team. Moreover, the Milton-Keyes-based outfit announced their in-house engine plans. Red Bull Powertrains Limited, which powers them and their sister team Alpha Tauri from 2022.

However, the team’s focus is now on the 2021 season. The talents of Verstappen and Perez behind the wheel are sure to give the top contenders a run for their money. The opening race will take place in Bahrain on the 28th of March, prior to that the teams would be doing pre-season testing from 12-14th of March on the same track.

Also Read: Max Verstappen Could Be Replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, Admits Red Bull’s Christian Horner