Back in the spring, Honda made one of its biggest launches of the year, the CR-V Hybrid Racer: an 800-hp, rally-inspired Group B racing SUV that was hailed as a “monster.” With a not-so-small car. A hint of GT3 is in it, and IndyCar is also included. Its power is provided by the same 2.2-liter V8, but the back-end technology used by Honda in IndyCar has also been carried over to the project.
Verstappen was able to test drive a Honda CR-V Hybrid Racer back in May, ahead of the Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend in Miami, but full video of this has only emerged in the past few days, and so far only details of a “big encounter” have been published.
As can be heard in the video, the three-time world champion Red Bull driver was explained that he must first activate the electrical system, and then above a certain speed, the internal combustion engine also takes part in the driving. From there, he was just one click away from actually getting close to the SUV, and of course the Dutchman took advantage.
So much so that before returning to the pit lane, he also painted donuts using 800 and – according to the video – 750 horsepower technology. “It was fun. I like that it moves a lot,” Verstappen said at the end. “I think it’s also very easy to jam the rear axle, so I would sometimes press the gas a little to help it when changing gears. “I also love her voice, it’s irresistible.”
It may not be related to his U-turn at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but it is interesting that Max Verstappen’s 10-race winning streak with which he made history at September’s Italian Grand Prix began in Miami.
