Red Bull: Honda working 'day and night' in search for power

Honda are testing "day and night" in order to improve its Formula 1 power unit, according to Red Bull motorsport advisor Dr Helmut Marko. Although Red Bull will take a new engine in next weekend's French Grand Prix, Marko says a bigger upgrade is planned for the Italian GP.

A Monza upgrade will be badly needed by Red Bull on the evidence of last weekend's Canadian Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen struggled to keep pace with Ferrari and Mercedes, before his weekend was undone by an unfortunate Q2 elimination, while Pierre Gasly finished behind both Renaults on pace in eighth.

Red Bull are yet to truly contend for victory in a race so far this year, with Verstappen's fierce fight with Lewis Hamilton in Monaco neutered slightly by the Dutchman's time penalty.

With engine life already impressing, Marko has praised Honda's quest to up the power across the remainder of 2019.

"We are very satisfied with the reliability of Honda," Marko told Speedweek. "The test bench in Japan runs day and night.

"We are still a bit behind in terms of power, but we are getting a new engine in Paul Ricard.

"However, that is not the biggest step. It will be in Monza. They will do everything they can to close the gap at Honda."

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