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Toro Rosso will not lose its works status now that senior team Red Bull has signed up to also be powered by Honda engines from 2019. That is the news from Honda's F1 general manager Masashi Yamamoto, following Tuesday's official announcement.
Toro Rosso, a smaller team, has been revelling in its so-called 'works' status this year, but from 2019 might be seen as little more than a customer or secondary partner.
But Yamamoto insisted: "We'll supply the same specification to both Red Bull and Toro Rosso. From a manufacturer's point of view, it doesn't make sense to identify either team as either works or customer as current regulations oblige us to supply the same power unit to all our teams. In that sense, this contract puts the three parties into an equal position," he added. "There won't be a change in the current relationship between Honda and Toro Rosso."
Indeed, Auto Bild claims that Toro Rosso - and Red Bull - will be much better off financially with Honda, as Renault was asking for EUR 18 million per season.
Yamamoto continued: "Though we are not going into further details of the contract than shown in the press release, I should say the condition is very fair for both parties."
He admitted, however, that supplying Red Bull puts a lot of pressure on Honda, particularly after the failure of the McLaren collaboration.
"It is one of the top teams," said Yamamoto says. "This gives further motivation to all the members of Honda, but at the same time, it is a huge pressure and responsibility for us.
"However, it is Honda's nature to always aspire to a very high target, and I think that's what makes us Honda.
"As a starting point, we do not want to see Red Bull's performance drop below its current level. But our target is to go further and do better than they are doing at the moment."
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G. Zhou
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Replies (9)
Login to replycalle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Oh they will be much better off on the money side of things. I did a jurnalizm a while back, and managed to find that Honda allegedly sponsored McLaren with about 100m USD during the McHonda stint.
Money aside, I think they will be a great pairing. I think Honda knows whats up if they fail this time, and Im sure they will do their all to keep at it this season.
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
The hell they will... I don't think anyone believes for a second that Toro Rosso and Red Bull would get equal treatment if it comes down to two different approaches. I guess their statements also highlight the fact that RB effectively has two teams in F1.
RacetoWin
Posts: 95
Torro Rosso will keep the works Honda title as RedBull has already branded itself with tag heur and aston martin who may enter as a engine supplier in 2021.
My new engine rule suggestion would be following with a bhp limit.
It would be great if f1 can change their engine program to one that only allows current model super car and hyper car engines with the Williams f1 designed kers flywheel that would become fia homologated. The engine footprint would need to have a max footprint size and the the engine block would have to be stock.
With that suggested engine rules we would have Ferrari, Mercedes, Honda, Renault, Audi, Maserati, vw, BMW, Ford, Lamborghini all being able to enter pand all would benefit from the development of engines through the f1 engine supplier program.
mcbhargav
Posts: 1,332
"it is Honda's nature to always aspire to a very high target" hear, hear!
RacetoWin
Posts: 95
Looks like RedBull have a commitment with Tag Heuer and Aston Martin, this leaves me to believe the Honda will be rebranded like the Renault until the sponsorship period ends.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Nay, that wont happen. The only reason they had to rebrand the Renault engines to TAG (No AM involvement there mind) was because they had to compromise to get those PUs, and TAG was a middleman in that negotiation who bought those engines for RB. This isnt needed here, since Honda will likely foot much of that particular bill themselves. TAG is just a watchmaker, they will remain content where they are. AM is a bit of an unknown though. But neither Honda or Renault really are true competitors to them, mind, so I dont think they will jump ship just yet.
mbmwe36
Posts: 533
He's just being nice and try to save face for Toro Rosso. Of course RBR will be prioritised if needed - as they should.
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
I think so too, especially since thats where they will plaster all of their Honda stickers and most of the Honda funds, but I still think Honda, as a partner with no works team of their own, will be more fair to both teams than e.g Renault was now or Merc' or Ferrari has been so far to their customers.
boudy
Posts: 1,168
Not sure if they were that fair for Toro rosso last season.