Honda aiming for P3 at the start of 2019

Honda is aiming to be the third best manufacturer in F1 at the beginning of the 2019 season. The Japanese manufacturer has had a tough period since returning to F1 with McLaren in 2015 however recent progress has new partners Red Bull feeling confident ahead of the new year.

Expectations are high at Red Bull ahead of their first race with new engine partner Honda after the progress the power unit displayed throughout the 2018 season with Toro Rosso.

Despite these high expectations, Honda is playing down their competitiveness in the immediate future but is hopeful of challenging to be the number one power unit in F1.

"We will make a big effort during the winter, and (up until) now of course,” Honda boss Masashi Yamamoto told Autosport.

“At least we would like to start from third within the manufacturers, then try to catch the frontrunners up during the season.”

Although their planned return to F1 was ultimately a failing on their part, the progress they have made in recent years has seemingly put their engine ahead of Renault's and Red Bull will be hopeful of a challenge against Ferrari and Mercedes sooner rather than later although Honda themselves are keeping expectations in check.

"We are not really keen to say a specific time, but Mercedes and Ferrari have loads of knowledge of the grey areas (of the rules), so they are still ahead of us.

“But after four years of our development and trying, we think we are now finding the right direction and where to go – much clearer than last year, or two years ago. So we think we can speed up our development.”