Red Bull may sacrifice Toro Rosso to develop Honda engine

Toro Rosso's championship hopes for the remainder of 2018 could be compromised as Red Bull and Honda look to develop the power unit that the senior team will use next year. Both Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley are at rick of incurring engine penalties, but could have new parts fitted to their cars throughout the second half of the season.

Although they were expected to prop up the standings in 2018, Toro Rosso have fared well with the Honda engine, Gasly's fourth-place finish in Bahrain their highlight so far.

Red Bull are convinced that Honda has a greater potential for development than current partners Renault, prompting a divorce after 12 years together - four of which were title-winning.

Toro Rosso have not scored points since Gasly finished seventh at the Monaco Grand Prix - the Frenchman has finished 11th twice in the four races since, while Hartley has suffered three DNFs in that time as he continues to struggle in F1.

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And it appears that improving on the team's eighth place in the constructors' standings might be impacted by Honda beginning to develop its 2019 power unit - which will be tasked with keeping Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo in the fight for honours next year.

Dr Helmut Marko told Auto Motor und Sport: "Of course we leave the decision to Honda.

"But if they find a tenth with the development, of course, they can try the expansion stage right in the race. Even if that means we're taking penalties for it."

Both Hartley and Gasly were facing likely penalties before the end of the season regardless.

Hartley has used five internal combustion engines, turbochargers and MGU-H parts this year - three are permitted for the season. Gasly has used four of those parts.