Honda engine under investigation after Baku problems: 'Could affect plans'

The calendar hasn't changed as rigorously as it did last year, but the 2021 Formula One calendar has had its fair share of changes too. The latest change is the cancellation of the Singapore Grand Prix, which also affects Red Bull's development.

Red Bull chooses another way

Last week it was announced that the Singapore Grand Prix [1-3 October] will be cancelled, just like last year. Especially for Red Bull it was a very unpleasant development, also says Helmut Marko. "The race in Singapore is of course a race that suits us well", the Red Bull advisor told Auto Motor und Sport. "But anyway, that's the way it is. At least we were informed early on."

The lack of Singapore on the calendar has even more consequences for Red Bull. According to Marko, this has direct consequences for the direction in terms of further development of the team. "Absolutely. It's a decisive factor in the development of the team. Singapore demands something completely different from the car than any other race. Now there is only one slow circuit left and that is in Budapest. Fortunately, they cancelled this race in time, so we could adjust the planning of our development."

Honda goes for reliability

The performance of the new Honda engine has been excellent so far and so has its reliability. "We are trying to run with the first engine as long as possible. Since there are no signs of fatigue or a drop in horsepower at Red Bull Racing, we'll keep it that way," Marko said, pointing to Pierre Gasly' s engine problems in Baku.

"The damage to Gasly with the loss of power is being investigated," the Austrian continued. "If something is found there that also affects the engines in the Red Bull, that would be a new finding and would affect further plans." Honda will therefore focus on reliability in the coming period.