Red Bull F1 adviser Helmut Marko is keenly observing Toro Rosso’s progress with Honda’s engine as he knows the Austrian outfit may have to opt for the Japanese engines in 2019.
The information coming from Faenza so far is keeping him happy.
Marko believes Honda’s reputation suffered because of its failed partnership with McLaren. Fernando Alonso’s constant criticism of the engine maker in public made it worse, he added.
Writing in Auto, Motor und Sport, Marko said: “Honda is very active and has already found something,”
“Maybe they’ll manage to be on the level of Renault with the second engine. Honda had to compromise because of the chassis specification from McLaren.
“They could not develop freely and were pretty limited. Alonso has done everything to make the engine look bad.”
Based on the 2017 performance and in-season developments, Marko says Mercedes will continue to be F1’s power benchmark. None of the rival power units can match the Silver Arrows engine’s performance in the qualifying mode.
“The worst thing is their qualifying mode,” says the Red Bull manager.
“They are always ahead in qualifying and you cannot overtake on most tracks. And in the race, they sometimes use significantly less fuel.
“Mercedes’ overall package is clearly ahead in terms of driveability, performance, consumption and energy deployment.”
Oh please!! ????