Red Bull won't sacrifice Toro Rosso

Red Bull insist they will not "sacrifice" Toro Rosso this season in order to help Honda push on with updates.

Red Bull signed a deal recently to ensure they will be occupying with Honda power units for the 2019 season.

Toro Rosso, Red Bull's junior team already use a Honda engine and there had been speculation that the energy drink brand would use Toro Rosso as a testing team, so that Honda will be more prepared for next season.

Red Bull have today confirmed that they will not sacrifice Toro Rosso's season - as it could have resulted in grid penalties.

Christian Horner, Red Bull's boss, says that such moves need to have a fair balance in order for Toro Rosso to finish as high as possible in the constructors' championship.

"I don't think we'll be pushing them to sacrifice Toro Rosso," Horner told Motorsport.com.

"But obviously there are opportunities to learn for the benefit of the group, which ultimately Toro Rosso will benefit from as well.

"That's obviously something that remains open, but of course Toro Rosso have got their own fight in the constructors they're competing with, that obviously has significant value to them."

There has been doubt about Honda's engine - with questions being asked whether they've made any progress.

Horner is not concerned about the situation and thinks that the performance of the engine has been disguised by track characteristics that have forced Toro Rosso to give up downforce.

"From what we saw, certainly the last couple of samples - Austria and Silverstone - you can see that the performance of the engine is pretty close to where we currently are with out current supplier," said Horner.

"Of course, Toro Rosso have been running varying amounts of downforce at the past couple of venues.

"It feels like Honda are on the right trajectory. They seem to have the right goals and targets and we're looking forward to working with them in a much more collaborative manner as we move into this new relationship."