F1 News

Villeneuve questions Honda's ability

Villeneuve questions Honda's ability

31-12-2018 09:00
1
Author profile picture

Bobby Vincent

Former F1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has questionned Honda's power unit for the 2019 season and doesn't believe Red Bull Racing will be able to compete at the top.

With Honda making great strides with Red Bull's junior team, Toro Rosso, many believe the energy drink brand will be able to compete right at the top with Mercedes and Ferrari in 2019, after a reliability-dominated season with Renault in '18.

However, the ever-outspoken Villeneuve has raised the question: Why will Honda suddenly be better next year?

"Why would the Honda engine suddenly be better next year, unless the engine is built by someone from the outside, which would be possible, but if it remains the same project, then I do not see why it would be OK next year," Villeneuve explained to Motorsport.com.

McLaren had a dreadful 2017 season with Honda, but made a switch, and many thought it could be the end of the road for the Japanese manufacturer in Formula One, but a year of progress with Toro Rosso has persuaded Red Bull to take the risk.

"We have seen Toro Rosso last year that they have a bit more power," the Candian added. "But then that engine will only race one race and not seven races."

Red Bull have taken this risk, and they have had to, with Ferrari and Mercedes once again dominating proceedings in 2018.