Horner: Red Bull Honda partnership off to a great start

Red Bull team principal Christian Horner says the partnership between the team and new power unit partner Honda has started very well. Max Verstappen was able to put his RB15 on the second row of the grid, splitting the Ferrari's in the process.

After a season of underwhelming performances with Renault as their power unit provider, Red Bull has switched to Honda for 2019 and it appears as though the Japanese manufacturer has found speed over the winter break.

Speaking after qualifying, Horner said that the first qualifying of the season had been a huge positive, with Verstappen lining up in fourth for Sunday's race.

“That was a very strong session from Max and an impressive lap in Q3 to qualify fourth. Splitting the Ferraris was an excellent effort on his last run and he’s getting our new power unit partnership off to a great start with Honda’s highest qualifying position in the current V6 era."

Verstappen's new teammate Pierre Gasly had almost the opposite experience in his first qualifying with Red Bull after he was knocked out in Q1 and the Frenchman will be starting from 17th place.

"Unfortunately, Pierre, after a strong first lap didn’t improve on his second flying lap and with the circuit evolving and other cars electing to take another set of tyres, he just missed the cut. Whilst that’s hugely frustrating for him, I’m sure he will recover and race hard from there tomorrow.”