Report: Honda Contemplating Fresh Engine for Max Verstappen’s Red Bull F1 Car at Saudi Arabian GP

Maybe it’s finally dawning on Red Bull that if things remain as they are, Mercedes will win the championship. The team from Milton Keynes is prepared to use all options at their disposal, one of which could see them move back on the grid. Yes, it seems Red Bull may finally get a new engine for Max Verstappen in Saudi Arabia.

With two races to go in the season, Red Bull and its driver, who looked like clear title favorites a few weeks ago, are now looking at a 50/50 title fight. This has happened particularly since Lewis Hamilton took a new engine in Brazil.

Now, Red Bull taking a new engine for Verstappen isn’t really a like-for-like response, which is a running pattern between the two rivals. But it’s simply to avoid the risk of a reliability issue.

Even though Honda’s engines have proved very reliable this season, Motorsport reports claim fans may see Verstappen start from the back of the grid in Jeddah.

The thing is, Verstappen has been running on the same engine since Sochi. His first PU upgrade came after the first six races of the season, in France. And his current engine is also six races old at this point.

However, one can speculate whether the “perfect” time to give Verstappen a new engine has already passed.

Qatar could’ve been the right time for Max Verstappen to have a new engine

In Qatar, there was an obvious difference between Lewis Hamilton and the rest, including Verstappen. And the reason for the much-scrutinized pace definitely wasn’t Hamilton’s new engine from Brazil. Mercedes used an older engine in Losail and still won the race comfortably.

In fact, Verstappen had a grid penalty coming after qualifying anyway, so it would’ve been more sensible to give him a new engine there. Because you can at least bet your money that Verstappen, in a fresh engine, could’ve easily made his way up.

All the way up to at least the place where he eventually finished.

So, unless there’s a glitch in the Matrix, Verstappen will receive a grid penalty if he gets a new engine in Jeddah. And that could hurt Red Bull because Mercedes will put in the new engine for Hamilton, in a circuit that likely will suit their car more.

Yet, it is a gamble Red Bull has to take considering what’s there to win or to lose.

Also Read: Big Boost for Red Bull as Saudi Arabia F1 Circuit Designer Offers Crucial Update