Breaking news
Formula 1
Honda's upgraded engine returns for Brazilian GP
Toro Rosso will return to Honda’s upgraded Formula 1 engine for the Brazilian Grand Prix as the high-altitude challenge of Interlagos is not as extreme as in Mexico City.
Scott Mitchell
Edited: Nov 7, 2018, 12:51 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley used an older specification of Honda engine for the previous race in Mexico because the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit is situated 2200 metres above sea level.
Lower air density, experienced at higher altitude, impacts the combustion process and the turbocharger is worked harder as compensation and Honda opted for an older engine it had better understand of how to calibrate for the conditions.
Red Bull avoided using Renault's latest-spec engine in Mexico for reliability reasons, and is not expected to use it in Brazil either as the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo is the second-highest on the calendar at around 800m above sea level.
However, Honda's spec-three engine is poised to return.
"My pace in the last few events has been really fantastic and I had a great points finish in Austin, followed by a strong turn of speed in Mexico, even if it didn't deliver the result we might have deserved," said Hartley.
"Therefore, I'm going into the last two races of the year in a really positive frame of mind.
"We will have the latest-spec Honda engine on board and we know that it delivers much more performance.
"On top of that, the new aero kit adds some value and seems to suit my driving style."
Hartley believes Toro Rosso can target points in Brazil, after Gasly grabbed a 10th-place finish in Mexico despite using the older engine and starting at the back because of a grid penalty.
Gasly ran in a new spec-three engine in Friday's opening practice in Mexico to introduce it to his pool of available units, after Honda identified an assembly problem that may have affected the engine he had raced in the United States.
Honda wanted a spare unit in the pool just in case but, after being sent away for checks, the US engine has been cleared for use.
Gasly said: "I'm looking forward to fighting for points again, after we have taken tactical penalties in the last few races to maximise our chances in these final two races of the season."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Hamilton might need different motivation for 2019 - Prost
Next article Ericsson admits Sauber exit timing "hurts"
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Scott Mitchell
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Formula 1
Formula 1
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Formula 1
Formula 1
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
Formula 1
Formula 1
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
More from
Racing Bulls
Who slept worst last night: Nikola Tsolov
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Who slept worst last night: Nikola Tsolov
Racing Bulls "not in a rush" to decide between three "fantastic" drivers for F1 2027
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Racing Bulls "not in a rush" to decide between three "fantastic" drivers for F1 2027
Latest news
FIA expects F1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi to continue as planned
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
4 h
FIA expects F1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi to continue as planned
TDS Racing doubles down on IMSA program with two-car LMP2 return
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 4 h
TDS Racing doubles down on IMSA program with two-car LMP2 return
Why Isack Hadjar doesn’t like F1 sprints anymore
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
4 h
Why Isack Hadjar doesn’t like F1 sprints anymore
Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen to race for JR Motorsports again in 2027
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Phoenix II
5 h
Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen to race for JR Motorsports again in 2027
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe