Red Bull motorsport advisor Helmut Marko has indicated that junior team Toro Rosso is likely to now be used as a testing bench for Honda to try and make as much improvement as possible ahead of 2019.
The Italian team is enduring a rough first season with the Japanese manufacturer, currently eighth in the Constructors’ Championship and haven’t scored since Pierre Gasly finished seventh in Monaco four races ago, although the Frenchman would finish 10th at Silverstone before a post-race penalty.
An upgrade brought to the Canadian Grand Prix brought a reason for optimism and ultimately led to Red Bull’s decision, however, reliability remains a worry with both Gasly and teammate Brendon Hartley already well over their allocations for the season.
Now it seems more penalties will be coming before Abu Dhabi, however, as the senior team looks to ensure Honda is in the strongest possible position for next year.
“Of course we leave the decision to Honda, but if they find a tenth with the development, of course, they can try the expansion stage right in the race,” Marko told Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport.
“Even if that means we’re taking penalties for it.”
Over the weekend, Gasly admitted that the Japanese engine was still no match for their rivals, particularly Ferrari, who are powering their main rival in the championship, Sauber.
Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo has also indicated that he wants reassurances from Red Bull that the choice to switch to Honda was made for the right reasons before putting pen to paper on a new contract.
It’s safe to say the jury is still out.
