Verstappen changes power unit after oil leak
Red Bull has changed the Honda power unit on Max Verstappen’s car ahead of schedule following an oil leak during opening practice for the Spanish Grand Prix on Friday.
Verstappen was forced to miss the second half of FP1 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as a result of the oil leak, leaving him playing catch-up heading into the remainder of the race weekend.
Red Bull has changed the Honda power unit on Max Verstappen’s car ahead of schedule following an oil leak during opening practice for the Spanish Grand Prix on Friday.
Verstappen was forced to miss the second half of FP1 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya as a result of the oil leak, leaving him playing catch-up heading into the remainder of the race weekend.
Red Bull had planned to update to the Spec 2 Honda power unit on both Verstappen and teammate Pierre Gasly’s cars ahead of Free Practice 3 on Saturday in Barcelona, but has now opted to fast-track Verstappen’s update for FP2.
“We’ve now changed the power unit on Max’s car following the oil leak that occurred during FP1,” Honda F1 chief Toyoharu Tanabe said.
“Both cars started FP1 with Spec 1 power units with a plan of changing them for Spec 2 tonight. Therefore Max’s power unit change has happened just one session earlier than planned.
“Pierre continues to use the Spec 1 power unit for FP2, and his power unit will be switched to Spec 2 tonight, as per the original plan.
“Further investigation on the cause of the oil leak will now be carried out.”
