Honda to use remaining races as an experiment for 2019

Honda's motorsport boss, Masashi Yamamoto confirms they will be experimenting with 2019 engine parts during the remaining races of the current season. In March, they will start racing with Red Bull, but a deal with their sister team this year will help bring on development.

"Towards the end of the season, and as a preparation for next year, there will be an opportunity that we can try something on the actual track," Yamamoto told Autosport.

"We want to do that kind of trial and error, using this opportunity in the second half of the season."

Without a doubt, Toro Rosso will pass the information on to Red Bull and Max Verstappen, but running with 2019 engine parts will certainly put Pierre Gasly on the front foot going into his debut year in a Bull.

Honda will race at home in Japan next week so will likely take all engine penalties required this weekend. Toro Rosso have already picked up good positive results this season. Much stronger than their years with McLaren. Gasly came fourth in the Bahrain Grand Prix achieving their best result since it returned to F1.