Over the weekend, a couple of major developments in Formula 1 unfolded at the 2019 Austrian Gran Prix. First, Lewis Hamilton failed to make the podium, finishing 5th. But more importantly, the winning car was powered by a Honda engine.
The Honda RA619H power unit in Max Verstappen’s Red Bull Racing RB15 car went across the finish line in 1 hour, 22minutes 01.822 seconds. Honda-powered Formula 1 cars haven’t had a win in Formula 1 since 2006, when the Honda team itself took a win with Jensen Button behind the wheel.
RA619H facts:
- 1.6L V6, Turbocharged, Direct injection
- Powers the STR14 (Toro Rosso) and RB15 (Red Bull Racing)
- The engine features evolved components from the RA618H design
Comments from Takahiro Hachigo, CEO of Honda Motor:
– For the people and parties who have supported us in this project
“It is a great pleasure for us to win once more in Formula One, especially because getting to this point has not been straightforward since our return to the sport in 2015. First of all, I would like to thank Max and Aston Martin Red Bull Racing for this victory. Of course, we must also thank Scuderia Toro Rosso and all the drivers who have given so much support to the project, as well as all the suppliers and related parties.
– And thanks also to all our fans
“I want to thank all our fans. With their support, we will keep challenging as we strive towards our ultimate goal, which is to win the world championship, taking this victory as a first step. Any future success we have is also thanks to our fans who are really a part of our team.”
– We must keep challenging to achieve our goal
“Formula One was our founder Soichiro Honda’s dream and it is in our company’s DNA. We went through some tough times over the past five years on the race tracks and in the factory. I am speechless when I think about the enormous effort from all the Honda staff involved in this project, who always believed in themselves and never gave up and finally reached today’s victory. I think this embodies our ‘Power of Dreams’ motto.”
