Tanabe still sees areas for improvement after successful test of Honda teams

It is Honda's last year as official engine supplier in Formula 1. The engine provider is doing everything it can to provide a solid power unit and for now they are on the right track. The name Honda was not only big on the rear wing at Red Bull Racing and Alpha Tauri this weekend, but also at the top of the timesheet.

Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda fought a small battle on Sunday afternoon to set the fastest time of the weekend. In the end Verstappen took the win by just under one tenth. Nice for Honda's image of course, but Toyoharu Tanabe looks at it in a more businesslike way.

Tanabe thinks mileage is more important

"This satisfactory mileage means we now have plenty of valuable and relevant data to study to help us prepare for the first race of the season," Tanabe said in the manufacturer's press release, predicting two busy weeks.

While the test went well, there were still plenty of areas for improvement.

"As with all tests in this early part of the year, there were a few problems on the PU side and the chassis side, but overall, the reliability and general performance level of both cars was good and we got through all our planned programme with both teams," Tanabe added.