Hamilton backs Honda to put Red Bull in 2020 title fight

Lewis Hamilton hopes Honda's continued improvements will give 2020 a multi-team fight for honours in Formula 1.

Hamilton and Mercedes have once again dominated in 2019, but Red Bull have continued to win races, having swapped Renault's supply for Honda power units.

Max Verstappen dominated the Brazilian Grand Prix, while Pierre Gasly joined him on the podium in the Toro Rosso, also powered by Honda.

Gasly out-dragged Hamilton to hold onto P2 at Interlagos, although the Briton was later demoted for colliding with Alexander Albon, who had looked set to put another Honda-powered car on the podium until Hamilton's intervention.

"He put the car in the right place in every section of the track, was very fair and didn't make any mistakes," Hamilton said of Gasly's last-ditch efforts, before focusing on his engine.

"The Honda's obviously made some big steps and it's great to see another manufacturer as strong as they are now.

"It means that hopefully next year we're going to have a serious three-way, four-way battle and that's great for Formula 1."

Basking in the glow of his maiden podium in F1, Gasly was also quick to point out the strides made by the Japanese manufacturer.

"I think all the work, not only this season but since they came back into Formula 1, they have had some tough times.

"They just kept developing, kept working hard and bringing the upgrades. Some things worked, some other things didn't work but, at the end of the day, they are the ones who have improved the most.

"The attitude and the work they are putting in is just unbelievable."

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