Honda looking for different relationship with Red Bull to McLaren

Despite Red Bull stalling the process of deciding between Renault and Honda engines for next season, Honda have suggested that their relationship with Red Bull will be different to the one they had with McLaren for three seasons between 2015 and 2017.

McLaren’s time with Honda was plagued by unreliable and underpowered cars, much to the frustration of their drivers and fans.

The team has seen more success since switching to Renault engines for this season. Red Bull’s junior team did the opposite switch, ditching Renault engines and picking up the Honda power unit.

Whilst it has been more reliable this season, Toro Rosso have not had good pace, Pierre Gasly’s fourth position in Bahrain aside.

This is perhaps why Red Bull are stalling on their decision. Honda’s technical boss Toyoharu Tanabe has come out and said that the relationship with Red Bull would be different to McLaren.

“It was very difficult with McLaren,” Tanabe explains. “But it was also a very good experience, they gave us a very precious experience as a partner.

“We are now having another experience with Toro Rosso, which is very good.

“If we are going to be with Red Bull, we don’t think we’ll be together like McLaren. I don’t think we’ll have the same situation as we had like McLaren.”