Honda engine development already facing issues

Reports are circulating that progress on developing Honda’s new power unit for 2019 has already come under pressure following a split with their leading simulation partners, AVL.

According to AutoBild, the manufacturer's partnership with the simulation and testing experts has been terminated following a disagreement between the two parties.

The Japanese based company had been AVL to improve their work on F1 engines and Ferrari had previously used their means.

Red Bull boss Helmut Marko revealed the split as well as confirming Mario Illien an ‘engine guru’ had been brought into to help Honda’s efforts.

"For this issue, appropriate measures have been initiated," Marko told AutoBild.

Despite the bump in the road for Red Bull’s 2019 preparation Marko is confident for the upcoming season.

Red Bull will switch to Honda engines from 2019 after splitting with Renault, Toro Rosso spent the 2018 season testing the Honda engine for the 2019 change.