Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez will start the Azerbaijan Grand Prix with a fresh engine, Erik van Haren of De Telegraaf reports. Red Bull Racing is thus changing for the first time this season, while sticking to the same specification.
After seven races Red Bull Racing has exchanged the first engine of Verstappen and Perez for a fresh one. At the Azerbaijan Grand Prix the Red Bull drivers will be in action with a fresh engine, but still with the same specification. There may also only be an update to the electrical part of the powertrain.
New engine for Verstappen
Verstappen has not changed any engine parts apart from his exhaust and is therefore perfectly on track. While the Ferrari drivers are already working on a second engine, the reigning world champion is only now starting on his second engine. Perez did change to a new TC and MGU-H earlier.
That Red Bull chooses a new engine in Azerbaijan is not surprising. At the Baku City Circuit you can use some power, especially on the long straights. With a fresh engine, the power output could possibly be increased a little further, which should give Red Bull an advantage over the competition.