Red Bull Honda

[HustleRussell]

I've just heard that Red Bull have deduced that there is only a 9kW difference between the Honda and the Renault in Renault's favour... according to 5 live, Red Bull Honda 2019 is pretty much a formality...

[kambites]

I thought the big question with the Honda was fuel efficiency not outright power.

[anonymous-user]

The gamble is whether Honda can overtake Renault between 2019-20. In 2021 we're into a new formula and it all starts again. If there is no real success by the end of 2019, will the Honda board have the appetite to continue funding the whole shebang into that new formula?

[anonymous-user]

They had a full car and package ready for 1999 and canned it. They had a full car and package for 2009 and canned it. They get bored of being shamed.

[Vaud]

Gaz. said:

For 2009 they couldn't go racing while making thousands redundant, layoffs, 3 day weeks and closing entire factories world wide. BMW, Toyota and Renault were in the same boat.

True, also IIRC Ross wasn't very impressed by the forecast power/consumption and weight of the 2009 engine, though I may have misremembered.

[Dr Z]

kambites said:

I thought the big question with the Honda was fuel efficiency not outright power.

Indeed. The Toro Rosso cars' race pace tomorrow will be telling.

The cars at this track are going at a pace that's not seen so far at other tracks this year vs 2017 where only modest improvements were seen. I rather suspect this has masked fuel inefficiencies somewhat.

If Honda think McLaren are a demanding partner...RB Honda is going to be a step up from that.

Reliability seems good though.

[Europa1]

janesmith1950 said:

They had a full car and package for 2009 and canned it. They get bored of being shamed.

Interesting take on it.

[zokovic]

Red Bull have begun formal talks with Honda about the possibility of becoming their engine partner in 2019.

[zokovic]

HustleRussell said:

I've just heard that Red Bull have deduced that there is only a 9kW difference between the Honda and the Renault in Renault's favour... according to 5 live, Red Bull Honda 2019 is pretty much a formality...

the soft drinks giant has a unique opportunity to compare the two power units, Honda and Renault.

[Dr Z]

So, did Hartley run out of fuel at the end?