F1 Today: Red Bull signs deal with Honda, Russell told to deploy Hamilton blueprint

Red Bull Racing and its sister outfit Racing Bulls have agreed a new deal with power unit manufacturer Honda that will allow both teams to continue testing with Honda power units over the next two seasons, GPblog understands.

In Formula 1, unlimited testing with current cars is not permitted. However, teams are allowed to conduct TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) programmes using machinery that is at least two years old. These tests require engines from the relevant period, as different power units are generally incompatible with older chassis.

Non-works teams typically lease engines from manufacturers, as Red Bull and Racing Bulls previously did with Honda. Once a season ends, these power units are usually returned to the supplier. Therefore, if teams wish to reuse them for TPC purposes, particularly when running a different engine partner, a renewed agreement is required.

Discussions between both parties reportedly began in December, and an agreement has now been reached to facilitate the arrangement going forward.

While the Red Bull outfit and Honda have agreed terms over a new deal, Russell has been handed the key to defeat teammate Kimi Antonelli.

Former F1 driver Martin Brundle has urged his fellow Brit to approach competition with his current teammate in the same way he did with Lewis Hamilton. The 66-year-old noted how Antonelli is fast becoming a threat to Russell’s championship ambitions, and only by approaching the intra-team battle as he did against Hamilton will he be able to win the drivers’ title.

Russell currently trails Antonelli in the standings by nine points following the Italian’s consecutive victories at the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix.

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