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It’s only Friday, but Formula 1 leader Max Verstappen knows that he will start from the end of the grid at the Russian Grand Prix on Sunday.
Because Verstappen has bought a completely new Honda engine.
Formula 1 drive units consist of six separate components and drivers are limited to the number of individual components they are allowed to use each year. If he takes a fourth engine of the season, then according to the Formula 1 regulations, the driver has to start the race on the weekend from the end of the grid.
Red Bull made the decision between the two training sessions on Friday at the Sochi Autodrom, the semi-permanent street style facility on the site of the 2014 Winter Olympics, right on the Black Sea.
There are a handful of reasons why Red Bull made the decision now.
• Verstappen started the weekend and suffered a three-place penalty after colliding with title rivals Lewis Hamilton in Italy. That meant that even if he had qualified from pole position, he wouldn’t start higher than fourth. A back-of-the-grid hit this weekend makes that sanction null and void.
• Another reason is that the Sochi Autodrom is unlikely to be one of Red Bull’s strongest circuits among the remaining grands prix on the 2021 calendar.
• Verstapppen is four points ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the overall standings, and if damage should occur this week due to a loss of points, Red Bull expects the season to have enough time (F1 is hoping for seven more races to Sochi if COVID- 19 allows this). to make up the difference.
Max Verstappen is doing a training run in Sochi on Friday.
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Mercedes has been undefeated at the Sochi Autodrom since its introduction to the Formula 1 schedule in 2014. This incomparable form lasted until Friday when Valtteri Bottas and Hamilton finished first and second in both free practice sessions.
Red Bull also made the decision before the second session in dry weather so that Honda can carry out all the necessary system checks on the track with the new unit. Heavy rain is predicted for Sochi until Saturday, which means track operations could be interrupted.
The hit in Sochi means an element of damage control for Red Bull, as opposed to being punished on a track where victory from pole position is seen as very likely.
When not fighting for the title, Verstappen incurred a similar penalty when hosting the 2018 race. From 19th place on the grid, he ended up in fifth place.
“We thought it would be best to take it here,” said Verstappen. “In 2018 the gaps to midfield were of course a bit bigger, so it will be a bit more difficult to get through. But we have to take the penalty and if we didn’t take it here we have to take it elsewhere, so we’ll try to make the most of it. “
Verstappen isn’t the first driver to take an engine penalty in 2021. Team mate Sergio Perez, Mercedes-Bottas and AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly have already done this. This weekend, Verstappen will be backed by Ferrari in the back row by Charles Leclerc, who has also exceeded his allocation so that his car could be fitted with an improved hybrid system.
But Verstappen’s title opponent, Hamilton, hopes to survive the remaining laps without compromising.
“As far as I know, I think we’re okay,” he said. “But there is still a long way to go. At the moment we have no plans to install a new engine, I hope it stays the same, but of course I can’t predict the future. “
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