Red Bull and Honda in 'positive' talks

Red Bull and Honda have had "positive" talks about a power-unit partnership which would begin in 2019. Red Bull have grown frustrated with current suppliers Renault in recent years after their domination of Formula 1 went up in smoke at the start of the hybrid V6 era.

Red Bull have won just nine grands prix since the engine regulations were changed in 2014. By comparison, Sebastian Vettel won the last nine races of the 2013 season consecutively - an F1 record.

Honda returned to F1 in a partnership with McLaren in 2015, but results were poor and relations between them strained to such an extent that McLaren gave up an estimated $100million to switch to Renault for this season.

Honda have moved into a union with Toro Rosso and Pierre Gasly's fourth-place finish in Bahrain was the Japanese manufacturer's best F1 finish in almost a decade, catching the eye of the senior Red Bull team.

Red Bull head honcho Helmut Marko met with Honda motorsport chief Masahi Yamamoto at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the wheels of a partnership may have been set in motion.

"Because it was the very first meeting, we discussed the conditions of both sides, what do we expect of each other. It was the first discussion," Yamamoto told F1's official website.

"Yes, it was positive. We do believe we were both satisfied. There's a good relationship between us.

"However, it's the first time we have an official meeting. It's the starting point for a potential future."

Red Bull and Honda have just two weeks to complete a deal if they are to meet an FIA deadline over engine suppliers.

"We have the obligation to present the documents on the 15 May to the FIA," said Yamamoto. "It's something we are starting to discuss now and it has to be smooth between Honda and Red Bull.

"I want to use the time we have left to discuss with the Honda board members before I take the feedback back Red Bull to take the next steps.

"When we decided to come back to F1, the plan was not to just stick with one team but work with multiple teams.

"The board members are aware of discussions and there is a big respect for the relationship [with the Red Bull organisation]."