Honda admits that it had learnt from a disastrous start in Turkey last year. Red Bull struggled with the wet Formula 1 start, which helped both parties to succeed at Imola.
Max Verstappen started third on the grid at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, while Mercedes’ started from the pole position with Lewis Hamilton.
However, the terrible experience from Turkey last year helped the team to surpass other teams. Verstappen remain dominant through-out the race and ultimately won the Imola race with a huge gap.
Red Bull and Honda had struggled with the engine mapping and clutch setting last year with wet conditions at track.
Verstappen and Alex Albon were dismayed at their launch where they were almost stationary at the start of the race.
Honda elaborated the issue faced at Istanbul and said the extensive analysis of the issue helped them deliver what was required of them at Formula 1 tracks. It helped them in gaining a much better position among teams.
Toyoharu Tanabe, Honda F1 technical director, said that he was contended how its team took the challenged. He was happy how the issue was resolved quickly breaking the ice for the Red Bull.
“We’ve been reviewing with the team the start settings, and thoroughly examining what went wrong in Turkey last year,” he explained.
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“We had to think about what settings we had to make to improve it. It was achieved through a combination of things: such as clutch control on the car side and output for the required torque on the power unit side.
“The start system is very complex and we continue to develop it with the team this year. The result is now clear though and we were able to prove the result of this development.
“I think it was very good that Max was able to pass Hamilton after the dash from the start. I think it was worth it.”
Honda has provided an opportunity for the Red Bull to fight against the Mercedes on the same level. The Japenese manufacturer has at least achieved the last year power level of Mercedes’ engine.
“Honda have done a super job,” Horner told. “I think we can measure that they’ve matched where Mercedes were at the end of last year. And, you know, they’ve obviously thrown a huge amount of effort into this year, their last year in the sport.
“They intend to go off on a really high note, so I’ve been really impressed with the effort that they’re putting in.”
