Honda to 'keep developing' in 2021

(GMM) Just one way Honda has improved for its final official year in Formula 1 is at the race starts.

While the 2021 power unit is clearly more powerful, the Japanese manufacturer has also taken a big step forward in getting off the line – as could be seen at Imola on Sunday.

“We looked at the settings and the engine and analyzed in detail what was going wrong,” Honda’s F1 boss Toyoharu Tanabe (shown above) told formel1.de.

The result, he admits, was “impressive”.

“Imola is considered to be a power track, so I am very satisfied that we won in our final year in Formula 1 on this traditional circuit,” Tanabe added.

IMOLA, ITALY – APRIL 17: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda launches off a raised curb during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari on April 17, 2021 in Imola, Italy. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

He now hopes that Red Bull will be able to race the formerly-dominant Mercedes team throughout the season and win the titles.

“Last time, in Bahrain, we had pole position, but we missed the win,” said the Japanese. “This time we missed pole position, but we got the win. So I think we are competitive.

“Winning the second race is a very positive motivation, but we cannot afford any relief, especially since Mercedes, McLaren and Ferrari are getting faster,” Tanabe explained.

“That is why we want to keep the development going so that we do not lose our current competitive position.”