New F1 engine for Verstappen after qualifying issue
Max Verstappen will use a new engine in the Hungarian Formula 1 Grand Prix after the problem destroyed his final qualifying lap.
The championship leader qualified 10th after making a mistake in his first run in the top 10 penalty shootout, then ran into a power pack issue as he left the pits for his second run.
“I just had no power in that last race coming out of the pit lane,” Verstappen explained after the session.
“We tried to fix it, but no release. The engine was running, there was no loosening, and it hurt.
Red Bull chose to equip Verstappen with a new internal combustion engine, turbocharger, MGU-H and MGU-K for the Hungaroring race.
Verstappen has a 63-point championship lead and although closest rival Charles Leclerc is only third on the grid, an afternoon of damage control could be in store.
“It’s going to be a bit difficult for me, but anything is possible,” Verstappen said.
“Many Sundays have already shown this this year.
“But around here, it’s hard to overtake. We have to stay patient and see what happens.
His teammate Sergio Perez also has the same set of changes as Verstappen, as does AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly.
There is no penalty associated with these changes for Red Bull drivers even though they take place in parc fermé conditions.
But Gasly should be forced to start from the pit lane. He would have had a back-to-grid penalty anyway because his changes exceeded his seasonal allowances.
However, the FIA claims that AlphaTauri made the various changes to Gasly without obtaining prior approval from the technical delegate.
Thank you for your opinion!