close global

Welcome to GPFans

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

  • NL
  • GB
  • IT
  • ES-MX
  • US
  • GB

Are you a F1 Fan? Follow GP Fans

Edition

NL GB IT ES-MX US

Honda upgrade in Monza will close gap to Mercedes - Red Bull

Photo: © LAT Images

Honda upgrade in Monza will close gap to Mercedes - Red Bull

Enough time to catch up in the standings?

Red Bull are expecting a new engine from Honda to arrive in time for the Italian Grand Prix and provide a "real boost" as they try to hunt down Mercedes and get the better of Ferrari. Max Verstappen has mixed it with the Scuderia on occasion this year, but the RB15 is not as impressive as some of its recent predecessors.

Mercedes have won all six races this season, with Ferrari dropping the ball when they appeared strong in Bahrain and Azerbaijan.

Verstappen has led Red Bull's charge, finishing third in Australia and Spain, albeit well off the pace of Mercedes, before the Dutchman pushed Lewis Hamilton hard in Monaco, only to be demoted from second to fourth by a time penalty.

Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko says the team did not expect their rivals to make such good progress ahead of 2019, but hopes the balance will be redressed at the end of the European season.

"We have underestimated the step that Mercedes and Ferrari made over the winter," Marko told Motorsport-Magazin.

"We had sorted out our problems [in Monaco], but when Mercedes turned up the party mode in Q3, we immediately lost three tenths in the first sector again.

"That [step] comes with engine number four in Monza.

"Unless the jump is so significant, then we could accept the penalty earlier. According to the figures we have from Honda, it'll be a real boost."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

F1 insider claims Oscar Piastri could move to rival team because of offer McLaren can't match

F1 insider claims Oscar Piastri could move to rival team because of offer McLaren can't match

  • Yesterday 22:55
F1 teams 'agree' to shorter races from 2027

F1 teams 'agree' to shorter races from 2027

  • Yesterday 21:57
Max Verstappen stokes Red Bull F1 tension after major disagreement

Max Verstappen stokes Red Bull F1 tension after major disagreement

  • Yesterday 20:57
Red Bull boss confirms Gianpiero Lambiase role despite McLaren denial

Red Bull boss confirms Gianpiero Lambiase role despite McLaren denial

  • Yesterday 19:56
Max Verstappen claims F1 fans are clueless over 2026 regulations

Max Verstappen claims F1 fans are clueless over 2026 regulations

  • Yesterday 18:57
Lewis Hamilton in bullish Ferrari claim - We can win Monaco GP

Lewis Hamilton in bullish Ferrari claim - We can win Monaco GP

  • Yesterday 17:57

Just in

25-5
F1 insider claims Oscar Piastri could move to rival team because of offer McLaren can't match
25-5
F1 teams 'agree' to shorter races from 2027
25-5
Max Verstappen stokes Red Bull F1 tension after major disagreement
25-5
Red Bull boss confirms Gianpiero Lambiase role despite McLaren denial
25-5
Max Verstappen claims F1 fans are clueless over 2026 regulations
F1 news

Recommended by the editors

F1 insider claims Oscar Piastri could move to rival team because of offer McLaren can't match Oscar Piastri

F1 insider claims Oscar Piastri could move to rival team because of offer McLaren can't match

Yesterday 22:55
F1 teams 'agree' to shorter races from 2027 Latest F1 News

F1 teams 'agree' to shorter races from 2027

Yesterday 21:57
Max Verstappen stokes Red Bull F1 tension after major disagreement Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen stokes Red Bull F1 tension after major disagreement

Yesterday 20:57
Max Verstappen claims F1 fans are clueless over 2026 regulations Max Verstappen

Max Verstappen claims F1 fans are clueless over 2026 regulations

Yesterday 18:57
Ontdek het op Google Play
x