Red Bull getting a 'party mode' from Honda
- Farhan Khurram
- Jan 10, 2019
- 3 min read
Red Bull Racing believes that it is getting an engine 'party mode' from Honda for the first time in 2019 season.
Red Bull will be joining forces with the Japanese giant, Honda this season after it switched its allegiance from its partner of 13 years, Renault. Together with the French marque, Red Bull dominated Formula from 2010 to 2013 and wrapped up 4 constructors' titles as well as 4 drivers' titles.
But since the dawn of the current V6 Hybrid Turbo era, Renault has failed to match the likes of Mercedes and Ferrari with a very slow rate of development. That partly contributed to Red Bull's dethroning off the top as it now trails the Silver Arrows and the Prancing Horse in the standings.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, Helmut Marko, motorsport adviser of Red Bull, he said that, "The figures make us really optimistic, also with regard to the increase in performance,"
Helmut Marko then went on to claim that they will celebrate the 'party mode' for the first time, thanks to Honda.
"For the first time we can also celebrate with a 'party mode'!
The relationship with Renault grew bitter overtime with many harsh statements being exchanged between the two giants in the media and the press. It ultimately resulted in a divorce at the end of 2018. Red Bull already had all the Honda engine development data at its disposal given that the junior team, Toro Rosso has already been using Honda power for over a year now.
Marko believes that the Honda engine is already above the Renault one in terms of performance and power. He reckoned that if Red Bull combines its GPS data with data given by Honda, they will right where Mercedes and Ferrari are.
"The Honda engine is already slightly above the Renault engine. If you combine our GPS data with the data provided by Honda, we'll be in the Mercedes and Ferrari region.
"Of course they're not sleeping either. But they are already at such a high level that they can no longer make such jumps.
"Even if we should be 10 or 15 kW behind, that was no different in our Renault era with the eight-cylinder engine. We can make up for that." said Helmut Marko.
Marko stated that Red Bull is capable of covering up any engine related deficits with their aerodynamics superiority. It is already believed that the aerodynamics genius, Adrian Newey is actively working on Red Bull's 2019 challenger.
Toro Rosso had to endure a tough transitional year with Honda which witnessed several retirements across the span of the season, that were mostly related to the Honda engine. It suggests that the Honda power unit is still far from reliable. Marko seemed to acknowledge that fact saying:
"We are aware that it will probably be difficult with reliability,"
The Red Bull senior figure knows that the reliability will be a persisting issue and that his team will not make it to the end of the season on just 3 engines. They will have to use more. But he is certain that the team will be able to perform well on the "right tracks" and that they will have to "accept engine penalties".
"Most probably we won't be able to get through the season on three engines." said Marko.
He further continued, "But if you choose the right tracks, you can be back at the top in a few laps. That will be the concept, that we consciously accept engine penalties if necessary."
These claims from Red Bull are coming at a time when Renault boss, Cyril Abiteboul has already been boasting of the massive engine gains that his team has made in winter.
"We were in the B category right from the start," he said. "We lacked up to 70bhp in qualifying.
"Depending on the race track it became less, but on average we were always at least 40bhp behind.
"Our GPS data clearly shows how much we lose on the straights and how much we win in the corners. When the Ferrari power was at its peak, the difference was even more extreme." he concluded.
This article was originally published on Motorsport. Click here
Farhan Khurram
CEO, Cofounder, Editor-in-Chief
In his own words, “A nature photographer, avid writer & 3D designer. Formula 1 & Aviation gets my adrenaline rush.”
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