Honda "quite happy" with engine development over the winter

Aston Martin Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner said the team's engine partners Honda "look quite happy" with the engine they've produced for the 2020 season, with the Bulls looking to build upon their promising 2019 season.

Red Bull made the risky decision to leave engine partners Renault, whom they had been partnered with since 2006, in favour of Honda, who had spent 2018 powering Toro Rosso's cars.

Although it's still early after just one season, the decision seemed to have been the right one, with the RB15 looking more and more competitive as the season progressed as Max Verstappen won a career-best three races in 2019 while also getting his maiden pole position. The Dutchman finished third in the championship.

Honda's engine could be key in Red Bull's 2020 title challenge, which many think is a very legitimate one.

"They look quite happy," Horner told Autosport when quizzed about Honda and their engine development during the off-season.

"They've done plenty of mileage on their dynos.

"We've obviously been working very closely with them and the integration of the engine into the chassis."

While Verstappen's three wins in 2019 was a good sign, Horner knows the team will need many more if they are to compete for the 2020 title - and he's happy with the motivation he's seeing from Honda's side.

"They share that motivation and desire of competitiveness and to really build on the three wins that they achieved last year, and all the other stuff that came with it.

"They're very, very focused on making that next step.

"The turnaround that they've achieved has been phenomenal, when you consider where they were five years ago to where they are now."

Red Bull will also need more contributions from the second driver besides Verstappen. Pierre Gasly and Alexander Albon both failed to get on the podium once (although Gasly did for Toro Rosso) while Verstappen did so nine times.