Red Bull motorsport advisor, Helmut Marko, has confidence in Honda capability to turn around their current engine problems, as junior team Toro Rosso start preparing to take on the Japanese manufacturer next year.
The Austrian energy drinks giant had reportedly walked away from talks with Honda about a deal in the summer but, as McLaren began talks with Renault and Formula 1 bosses intervened, an arrangement was agreed that facilitated the eventual swap in suppliers.
Though many don’t see how the deal benefits Toro Rosso, as Honda has struggled to get their act together in the three years since their return, Marko says the evaluation done on the pros and cons of working with the carmaker actually makes him keen to see how a partnership can play out.
“We contacted Honda and did some of our own research too and from what we learned, we have an optimistic view of the future,” he told Austrian broadcaster ORF. “We saw both McLarens in the top 10 in Singapore, we see an engine that is developing, and we know what is going on in the background.”
Key to Marko’s positive outlook is the scale of the operation Honda has for its F1 project, with their abilities believed to be greater than Renault.
“Honda has the financial potential, the necessary infrastructure, one of the most modern factories with corresponding test rigs and a complete commitment to F1 and winning in a partnership,” he claimed. “But we must also address the Japanese mentality, as it is, of course, a little different than us Europeans.”
With the possibility of Renault also dropping Red Bull at the end of next season, Marko admits a lot of focus will be on Honda and how they perform should they need to look elsewhere.
“In September 2018, I’ll be able to say what we are going to do in 2019, which is a good time to see how Toro Rosso and Honda is working,” he commented.
The news today of Aston Martin becoming title sponsor next year has little bearing on the future engine decision, with Marko adding: “It is a financial cooperation that has nothing to do with the powertrain.”
As mentioned, there is some scepticism of just how beneficial the Honda/ Toro Rosso tie-up will be, with the strongest criticism coming from the always outspoken 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, who worked with Honda during his BAR years.
“I don’t understand Toro Rosso,” the French-Canadian told Autosport. “They have seen what has been happening for three years. How can they imagine this will help them?
“Whenever you go and take money to go slower, after two years you pay the price. Okay, there is more money in the account. But to run last? It’s like when teams start taking slow pay drivers. Two years later, they are dead,” he warned. “McLaren survived it because it’s McLaren. Now we’re talking Toro Rosso.”
He was also unconvinced by Marko’s argument that they have the capabilities to put right their ongoing problems.
“Have we seen anything to suggest they can?” he retorted. “They need a new engine. The whole project was started wrong and it needs to be a full change. Unless someone else makes the engine and Honda put its name on it. Which is possible, I guess.”
