Honda struggled when it collaborated with McLaren in 2015-2017, but this season the Japanese manufacturer has made progress with the junior Red Bull team Toro Rosso.
Mercedes, meanwhile, has targeted having the most powerful party mode for Formula 1 qualifying this year, despite the need for engines to last longer.
The changes to German’s manufacture power unit for this year were aimed at helping the car’s packaging, as well as lifting its horsepower.
However, according to the latest data received from Honda, Red Bull motorsports consultant Helmut Marko, very optimistic about Austrian team’s title chance in 2019.
After years of complaining about its customer Renault power, Red Bull is moving to works Honda engines for next year beyond.
“We already have the numbers of our new car, with the front wing which normally causes a lot of losses, but we are very optimistic,” Marko said.
“On the Honda side, we are now expecting it to be only 10 kilowatts just under 10 horsepower behind Ferrari and Mercedes, and we expect to be able to compensate for this small deficit with a good chassis.” Marco added.
Daniel Ricciardo would be leaving at the end of the F1 season. The 29-year-old driver has taken what he described as one of the most difficult decision in his career after choosing to leave Red Bull and drive for Renault from 2019.
The Australian has been with Red Bull team since 2014 having made his F1 debut three years earlier with the now-defunct HRD. Ricciardo, who has also driven for Toro Rosso, has won seven races for his current team.
Max Verstappen wins in Mexico Grand Prix. (Source:www.hindustantimes.com)
Meanwhile Max Verstappen won in Mexico Grand Prix on last weekend, as in 2017. Marko said it was because this circuit at altitude levels engine performance.
“Nobody wanted to believe us when we said that only the engine prevented us from doing better, we keep saying that and Mexico proved that we were right.” Marko said.
“And I can already tell you that it will be difficult for us, again, in Brazil, because of the long rises in a straight line. In Abu Dhabi, we will have to see, we are always closer there very fast.” he added.
