Honda and Toro Rosso eager to grow together - Yamamoto

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Masashi Yamamoto, the general manager of Honda's motorsport division, believes the manufacturer and its new partner Toro Rosso can grow together.

Honda has reluctantly accepted to split with McLaren after its three-year relationship with the Woking-based outfit failed to yield the tangible results both partners expected.

The Japanese manufacture was determined to remain in F1 however, and has chosen Toro Rosso to eventually prove its worth.

"Obviously Honda would have preferred to stay in partnership with McLaren, but we were not able to reach the performance and reliability targets set by the team," explains Yamamoto.

"This created tension between us and unfortunately separation was the result. In the world of Formula 1 it’s important to get the results, it’s part of the deal.

"The regulations go on until 2020 so we still have three years and we want to show our improvements in the technology," he adds.

Honda sets bold top-3 target with Toro Rosso!

"We want to show Honda’s potential. That is very important for us, to let the world see how we will progress and how we can make it a success."

Yamamoto believes Honda and Toro Rosso are on equal footing when it comes to the future, as both partners aspire to grow with each other.

"First, Mr. Tost [Toro Rosso team principal] knows a lot about Japan. He understands the culture and it’s a good communication that we have," insists the Japanese executive.

"We have seen that they also have a young factory and are growing, which for Honda is very important because we can work with the same mentality and have the same approach.

"It is a new start with a team with a similar mindset to move forwards together. Toro Rosso and Honda will start working together immediately and for the coming years.

"However, before that we have the rest of the 2017 season to complete with McLaren, so a good communication between us is still very important, as well as a good performance in the remaining races."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.