Honda expects difficult title race: 'We have a lot of work to do'

Max Verstappen hoped to win the Qatar Grand Prix, but in the end, it was Lewis Hamilton who took the top prize. Although Toyoharu Tanabe is disappointed with the result he also sees positive things.

Hamilton had much more speed than Verstappen in Brazil, partly due to a new combustion engine. There were fears therefore that it would be impossible to keep up with the Briton for the rest of the season, but according to Honda Racing's technical director, it wasn't that bad in Qatar.

"I think the characteristics of the circuit had a big influence, but our feeling is that this time there was no big difference like in Brazil," Tanabe told AS-web. "We will have to figure out with the team how best to use the engine and make sure we are well prepared."

Tanabe looks forward to thrilling finale

Tanabe is also looking forward to the final two races. The next two GP's, held in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, will determine which driver takes the world title. "We have to show what we have done all year and what we can do in the last two races. We have a lot of work to do."