ispano6 wrote: ↑17 Aug 2020, 07:52
Marko explains why Verstappen suddenly had to go back to the old Honda engine
Prior to the Spanish Grand Prix it was announced that adjustments had been made to Max Verstappen's engine. Helmut Marko explains why the replacement of some parts was necessary by Red Bull Racing.
The new Honda's power unit is in the RB16 since Silverstone, but there were some problems during qualifying on Saturday. As a result the Red Bull mechanics put old components like the internal combustion engine, turbo, MGU-H and MGU-K back in the car.
Marko explains that this was done as a precaution. ""We had a few electronic problems in the data during qualifying, with occasional dropouts. We suspect it has to do with the wiring harness or some sensors. ...and we had to put the old engine in to be on the safe side," says the Red Bull advisor in conversation with Auto, Motor und Sport.
The second engine specification allowed Verstappen to drive with more power over a longer period of time, but that wasn't possible on the Barcelona circuit because of the old parts. It wouldn't have been enough to beat Lewis Hamilton anyway, according to Marko. "We didn't have the pace of Friday and Mercedes gained two to three tenths (compared to the longruns in the second free practice)", concludes Marko.
https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/65916/ma ... ngine.html
This is only my theory and I might be completely off, but something tells me that the PU change was done intentionally to save mileage on the 2nd PU.
The changes to the engine mode regulations will be introduced at Spa, which happens to be the next race, and the first in a triple header of back to back power sensitive tracks.
With so many unknowns about the regulations and not knowing what Merc will have in store, they will definitely need every ounce of performance and life from the 2nd PU. Even more so considering that it's time for Merc to roll out the 2nd engine.
If they want to keep the dream of making Verstappen the youngest WDC alive they will need to reduce the chances of grid penalties as much as possible. And be it as it may, the outcome at Spa might well set the tone for the rest of the season seeing that engines are frozen.
Just a theory from my side of course, but one that I see as very plausible. Especially if they had already written off Spain or maybe built some confidence that the old engine would have been enough.