Red Bull, Honda preparing for 2019 engine penalties already

Joas van Wingerden Friday 15 February 2019 15:14

Red Bull, Honda preparing for 2019 engine penalties already

Honda Motorsport manager Masashi Yamamoto says the Japanese marque and Red Bull are already preparing to take engine penalties in 2019, with Helmut Marko prioritising speed over reliability. According to Yamamoto, Honda expect Red Bull to get through five power units this year – the limit is set at three.

Last year's Toro Rosso drivers Pierre Gasly and Brendon Hartley chewed their way through eight engines apiece last year in the team's first year with Honda, although this was largely influenced by a late-season push for development once Red Bull's senior team came on-board.

Article continues under video

Title contenders Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel remained within the limit last year, suggesting that Max Verstappen may begin 2019 at a disadvantage, with Marko having bullishly claimed that the Dutchman ought to be targeting a championship bid.

Red Bull suffered badly with reliability in 2018, particularly Verstappen's now-departed teammate Daniel Ricciardo, who suffered more retirements than any other driver – eight.

Japanese outlet Sportiva quotes Yamamoto as saying that Red Bull will accept taking penalties in two races this year – with tactical decisions on where those grid drops will be taken highly likely.

Red Bull has targeted power-hungry tracks like Monza and Canada in the past for engine upgrades – and the subsequent penalties, with Ferrari and Mercedes still expected to hold an advantage in terms of raw horsepower this year.

MORE: Verstappen delighted with RB15 as Marko predicts Red Bull will be 'at the front'
MORE: Verstappen's first taste of new Red Bull - in 360 degrees!

Latest News

GPFans Recap

Ricciardo tipped for NEW F1 role as star makes COMEBACK at Las Vegas Grand Prix - GPFans Recap

2 hours ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix: The music artists set to star at STUNNING event

3 hours ago

Latest F1 News

Mercedes star SHOCKED by FIA reaction after damning drivers' statement

Yesterday 21:33

Latest F1 News

Verstappen reveals F1 RETIREMENT clue ahead of Las Vegas GP

Yesterday 20:47

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton drops Mercedes BOMBSHELL ahead of Las Vegas GP

Yesterday 20:02

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 star reveals DEPORTATION threat at Las Vegas Grand Prix

Yesterday 19:18

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2024

GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun

George Russell

GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP HUNGARY 19 - 21 Jul

Oscar Piastri

GP BELGIUM 26 - 28 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP NETHERLANDS 23 - 25 Aug

Lando Norris

GP ITALY 30 Aug - 1 Sep

Charles Leclerc

GP AZERBAIJAN 13 - 15 Sep

Oscar Piastri

GP SINGAPORE 20 - 22 Sep

Lando Norris

GP USA 18 - 20 Oct

Charles Leclerc

GP MEXICO 25 - 27 Oct

GP QATAR 29 Nov - 1 Dec

GP ABU DHABI 6 - 8 Dec

Complete kalender 2024

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY