Honda introduces upgrades F1 engine parts for Bahrain Grand Prix
Both Toro Rosso drivers will use updated Honda turbocharger and MGU-H components in the Bahrain Grand Prix after Pierre Gasly's engine failure in the Formula 1 season opener
Toro Rosso's partnership with Honda began well with strong reliability in testing but its competitive debut in the Australian Grand Prix was hit by an early engine-induced retirement.
Toyoharu Tanabe, technical director of Honda's F1 project, explained that the internal combustion engine on Gasly's car was damaged by a problem with the turbo and MGU-H.
Honda has modified the turbo and MGU-H ahead of this week's race in Bahrain to avoid a repeat, and will fit those parts to Gasly's car and his team-mate Brendon Hartley's as a precaution.
Gasly also needs a new combustion engine after the damage incurred in Australia.
This season F1 drivers are limited to no more than three combustion engine, MGU-H and turbo components and will incur a grid penalty for using any more fresh elements.
That means if Honda cannot salvage the previous components, Gasly only has one more free change of those parts over the remaining 20 grand prix weekends
Hartley is in the same position if he needs to replace the MGU-H and turbo, but still has the combustion engine used in Australia.
"Replacing components for the second race is obviously a difficult decision and not ideal, given that the number of power units and ancillary components is now limited to just three per season," said Tanabe.
"However, we believe this is the right way forward and we will continue our development in order to ensure the same issue does not reoccur.
"Although Sakhir is a tough track for the power unit, we hope to move on from this difficult moment, as we focus on this race and those that follow."
Neither driver's engine requires a change of energy store, control electronics or MGU-K, so both can still change each of those components once without triggering a grid drop.
Ferrari FIA signing knows 'key details' of all current F1 cars
Brawn's warning to himself on F1's new rules
Could mixed fortunes for F1's leading Brits turn around at Silverstone?
For the first time in many years, none of the local racers starts among the favourites for the British Grand Prix. But George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris could have reasons for optimism
Verstappen exclusive: Why F1’s champion isn’t fazed by Silverstone return
Max Verstappen is the world’s number one racing driver… and he’s determined to keep it that way. Speaking exclusively to GP Racing's OLEG KARPOV, the Red Bull driver explains why he’s relishing the 2022 championship battle with Charles Leclerc – and why he’s not worried about returning to Silverstone, the scene of the biggest accident of his career last year
Why Red Bull’s RB17 hypercar can help its F1 team
On Tuesday, Red Bull laid out its plans to develop and build a new hypercar - the RB17 - penned by Adrian Newey. As the project itself sates Newey as a creative outlet, it also offers Red Bull's Formula 1 team a number of new and exciting avenues to pursue
What to expect from Mercedes as F1 returns to Silverstone
OPINION: The British Grand Prix is a home event for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, with their Mercedes team based just a few miles away too. But there’s another reason why the Silver Arrows squad is eager to arrive at Silverstone this weekend, which may help it fix its remaining problems with its 2022 Formula 1 challenger
The “solemn promise” that cost quiet hero Brooks an F1 title
After two terrifying crashes, one of the best British racers of the 1950s retired before his career peaked. But that’s why GP Racing’s MAURICE HAMILTON was able to speak to Tony Brooks in 2014. Like his friend Stirling Moss, Brooks was regarded as one of the best drivers never to have won the world championship. Here, as our tribute to Brooks who died last month, is that interview in full
Inside the Faenza facility where AlphaTauri’s F1 pragmatic vision is realised
AlphaTauri’s mission in F1 is to sell clothes and train young drivers rather than win the championship – but you still need a cutting-edge factory to do that. Team boss Franz Tost takes GP Racing’s OLEG KARPOV on a guided tour of a facility that’s continuing to grow
Connecting two of Ferrari's favourite F1 sons
Gilles Villeneuve's exploits behind the wheel of a Ferrari made him a legend to the tifosi, even 40 years after his death. The team's current Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc enjoys a similar status, and recently got behind the wheel of a very special car from the French-Canadian’s career
How a 30cm metal wire triggered open warfare in the F1 paddock
Porpoising has become the key talking point during the 2022 Formula 1 season, as teams battle to come to terms with it. An FIA technical directive ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix and a second stay appearing on the Mercedes cars only served to create a bigger debate and raise tensions further