Gasly expects Honda to close Mercedes, Ferrari gap

Pierre Gasly has backed Honda to close the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari in Formula 1's battle for horsepower as Red Bull hope for the boost needed to put the Frenchman, Max Verstappen and the team into title contention next year.

Gasly will step up from Toro Rosso for next year, having worked with Honda throughout 2018 and previously during his time in Super Formula.

After four years of title dominance with Renault, the dawning of the V6 Hybrid era has seen Mercedes take over as F1's prominent force and Red Bull's relationship with the French marque grow increasingly fractious.

Despite Honda's previously messy partnership with McLaren upon its F1 return, Red Bull have spoken with regular confidence that things will be different next year, something Gasly also believes.

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Good 2 days working with the team in Milton Keynes at the factory. Excited with the new challenges!! 1??0?? ????: @motorsport_photography

A post shared by Pierre Gasly ???????? (@pierregasly) on Dec 4, 2018 at 10:14am PST

Asked by Sky Sports if Honda will be able to match the power of Mercedes and Ferrari, Gasly said: "Pretty close. I really believe in this project and I can see how much work and dedication they are putting [in].

"I'm sure they are going to close it at some point.

"We just need to give them time but I'm sure with the experience of Red Bull, mixing these two really strong companies, they will come up with something really exciting for next year."

Gasly will fill the Red Bull seat vacated by Daniel Ricciardo's switch to Renault, having impressed against Brendon Hartley in the team's junior outfit in 2018.

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