Bad result according to Honda due to DRS train

That it would not be an easy race for Honda in Sochi, was already clear before the weekend. Max Verstappen would have to start from the back of the grid due to an engine change and Mercedes have traditionally done well at this track.

The fact that Verstappen still managed to finish on the podium is a nice bonus for Toyoharu Tanabe. For the other Honda drivers it was unfortunately a weekend to forget.

"Max had already made up several places, after starting from 20th on the grid and then he and Red Bull Racing made just the right strategy call to bring him for rain tyres, which allowed him to pass more cars and finish second. That’s a very positive result for the championship"

Gasly and Tsunoda were stuck

The other cars with a Honda power unit had a disappointing race. Perez was well in at the start, but was surprised by the rain shower, according to Tanabe. That the men of AlphaTauri did not manage to score any points was due to being stuck in a DRS train, according to the Japanese.