Red Bull, Honda preparing for 2019 engine penalties already
Red Bull, Honda preparing for 2019 engine penalties already
Honda Motorsport manager Masashi Yamamoto says the Japanese marque and Red Bull are already preparing to take engine penalties in 2019, with Helmut Marko prioritising speed over reliability. According to Yamamoto, Honda expect Red Bull to get through five power units this year – the limit is set at three.
Last year's Toro Rosso drivers Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley chewed their way through eight engines apiece last year in the team's first year with Honda, although this was largely influenced by a late-season push for development once Red Bull's senior team came on-board.
Title contenders Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel remained within the limit last year, suggesting that Max Verstappen may begin 2019 at a disadvantage, with Marko having bullishly claimed that the Dutchman ought to be targeting a championship bid.
Red Bull suffered badly with reliability in 2018, particularly Verstappen's now-departed teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who suffered more retirements than any other driver – eight.
Japanese outlet Sportiva quotes Yamamoto as saying that Red Bull will accept taking penalties in two races this year – with tactical decisions on where those grid drops will be taken highly likely.
Red Bull has targeted power-hungry tracks like Monza and Canada in the past for engine upgrades – and the subsequent penalties, with Ferrari and Mercedes still expected to hold an advantage in terms of raw horsepower this year.
MORE: Verstappen delighted with RB15 as Marko predicts Red Bull will be 'at the front'
MORE: Verstappen's first taste of new Red Bull - in 360 degrees!
Change your timezone:
Latest News
BLOW for former F1 champion as Mercedes preferences revealed
- 45 minutes ago
F1 boss HITS BACK at star driver over schedule complaints
- 1 hour ago
F1 2025 Driver Lineup: Big names on the move as half the grid reshuffles for next season
- 2 hours ago
Haas announce Hulkenberg EXIT as F1 star's new team confirmed
- Today 11:27
F1 champion claims Drive to Survive success was 'very lucky'
- Today 13:59
F1 franchise welcomes return of INCREDIBLE feature
- Today 12:59
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860