Honda on Verstappen engine: 'Relieved that it doesn't cost us a penalty'

There were some concerns about Verstappen's car prior to this weekend and which parts could and could not be used in Hungary. Where the gearbox could and had to be changed without a gridstrap, the power unit can be used for the rest of the weekend.

This is a big relief according to Toyoharu Tanabe, technical director of Honda. This he says on AS-web.

"We also took the engine back to the factory for a thorough check and the results showed that it was OK, but we ran it on the first day and reaffirmed that there was no problem. Of course there is still a chance of minor internal damage, but for now it is OK."

Still, Honda was prepared for any punishment. "We have to be prepared to be punished. We are relieved to know that it will be OK this time."

Verstappen all right

Tanabe saw that too, commenting briefly on the site. "It was a good day. Verstappen told me beforehand that his body was fine after the heavy crash in the previous race, and I was relieved to see that he actually ran well in the two sessions."

Honda, together with Red Bull and Verstappen, will attempt to put together a good finale to the first half of the season. This will mainly be an attempt to run away from Hamilton and Mercedes.